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Antonie E. Naaman
Journal of Advanced Concrete
Technology, 1(3) 241-252, 2003
Although steel fibers have been used in cement
and concrete composites for more than four decades, most of the steel fibers on the
market today have been introduced prior to 1980. This is in sharp contract to the
continuous progress and development in the cement matrix itself. Following a brief
summary of the main properties and limitations of steel fibers used in cement based
composites, this paper describes the rationale and technical background behind the
development and design of a new generation of steel fibers for use in cement, ceramic
and polymeric matrices. These fibers are engineered to achieve optimal properties
in terms of shape, size, and mechanical properties, as well as compatibility with
a given matrix. They are identified as Torex fibers. Typical tests results are provided
and illustrate without any doubt the superior performance (2 to 3 times) of Torex
fibers in comparison to other steel fibers on the market. The new fibers will advance
the broader use of high performance fiber reinforced cement composites in structural
applications such as in blast and seismic resistant structures, as well as in stand-alone
applications such as in thin cement sheet products
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