Every architectural design poses a challenge to its own architects. What is more challenging is looking for materials that can meet the architect’s requirements and needs for a perfect finish product. The materials should be top-of-the-line, without compromising the quality and efficiency of the product. By continuous development, finally, around six years ago, a renowned company has invented precast concrete made our of carbon fiber reinforcement.

Known for its magnificent strength, this material was used for reinforcement and has since been used in various fascinating constructions and structures, thereby being the new architect’s trusted companion. The reinforcing grid proved to be true to its promise – that it can display up to seven times more tensile strength than steel reinforcement. What is more outstanding is that the CF reinforcement weighs lesser than steel for about fifty percent.

Because of the huge success of the product, not only architectural industry benefited from it but a growing number of industrial and residential aggregations opt to use this product as well for their growing demands. This reinforcement is cost-effective in shipping due to its reduced weight. Thus, it helps saves a lot not only in shipping but in erection costs and sub structures. Its improved durability, corrosion resistance and insulation properties are never compromised. In fact, since it is non-corrosive, the carbon fiber reinforcement can be placed just below the concrete.

The carbon reinforcement is consists of carbon fiber and polymer or any epoxy-based reinforcement products. The fibers have an amazing strength since one strand alone is already consisted of around 90% carbon. These fibers are bonded together by crystal alignment parallel to the axis of the fibers. This alignment makes the material even stronger. This in turn is bonded with epoxy resin, after which the products are applied to various uses from counter tops to precast concretes. The thickness of the product depends largely on the required application. For instance, a typical concrete counter top needs only about one inch grid. For applications that require more strength, the thickness can range up to three inches. This is particularly seen in precast beams and other architectural panels. It is believed that the composite grid can reduce up to 66% of its weight when used for architectural panels. (more…)