| HS Code | 120955 |
| Productname | Adfil Syntec |
| Material | 100% virgin polypropylene |
| Fibertype | Synthetic polypropylene microfiber |
| Fiberlength | 6 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm (available lengths) |
| Fiberdiameter | 0.02 mm (typical) |
| Aspectratio | 300–900 (depending on length) |
| Density | 0.91 g/cm³ |
| Tensilestrength | ≥350 MPa |
| Elasticmodulus | ≥3.5 GPa |
| Meltingpoint | 160–170 °C |
| Ignitionpoint | >350 °C |
| Alkaliresistance | Excellent |
| Acidresistance | Excellent |
| Waterabsorption | Nil |
| Dosagerate | 0.6–1.0 kg/m³ (typical concrete dosage) |
| Appearance | White fibers |
| Standardcompliance | ASTM C1116, EN 14889-2 |
| Packaging | 1 kg bags, 20 kg cartons |
As an accredited Adfil Syntec - New Generation Synthetic Polypropylene Microfiber for Reinforcement of Concrete factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Adfil Syntec is supplied in 20 kg moisture-resistant, polyethylene-lined paper sacks, securely sealed and palletized for storage and transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading of Adfil Syntec synthetic polypropylene concrete reinforcement microfiber, palletized bags, securely stowed and braced for shipment. |
| Shipping | Adfil Syntec ships as a non-hazardous, solid synthetic polypropylene microfiber for concrete reinforcement, typically in moisture-resistant bags or cartons, palletized and stretch-wrapped. No special dangerous goods requirements apply. Store dry, away from ignition, at ambient temperature. Handle with normal industrial care and follow the SDS and local shipping regulations. |
| Storage | Store Adfil Syntec synthetic polypropylene microfiber in original, unopened packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from direct sunlight, moisture, heat, open flames, and strong chemicals. Place pallets on clean, level surfaces off the ground. Avoid compression, tearing, or contamination. Reseal opened bags tightly; use stock first-in, first-out. Store at ambient temperature. Do not expose to ignition sources. |
| Shelf Life | Typically 24 months from manufacture when stored unopened in cool, dry conditions, away from direct sunlight; confirm with supplier. |
In cast-in-place industrial floor slabs where the surface-to-volume ratio exceeds 3 m⁻¹, the interval between bull-floating and final trowelling becomes the controlling period for plastic settlement and early-age crack formation. Adfil Syntec, a monofilament polypropylene microfibre for concrete reinforcement, is dosed at 0.6 kg/m³ to 1.2 kg/m³; the 0.9 kg/m³ addition rate is most frequently specified for slabs on grade exposed to wind speeds above 4 m/s because the evaporation rate can then exceed 1.0 kg/m²/h under the hot-weather guidance of ACI 305R-20. The fibre is added to the aggregate fraction in a central mixer or ready-mix truck before the batching water is fully discharged, and the batch is mixed for at least 4 min to 5 min at full charging speed so that the hydrophobic filaments disperse without producing a measurable air-content increase in ASTM C231/C231M. For power-trowelled slabs specified under ACI 302.1R, the addition of 0.9 kg/m³ advances surface crust formation and can reduce finished-floor bleed water by 5% to 15% when measured by ASTM C232/C232M, depending on cement content and aggregate grading; site trials are required because published data for this specific configuration is limited.
Plastic shrinkage cracking is ranked by ASTM C1579-21, which subjects a restrained concrete panel to a controlled evaporation regime. A dosage of 0.9 kg/m³ typically reduces the average crack width relative to the reference panel when the panel is placed under an air velocity of 4 m/s and a temperature of 35 °C; below 0.6 kg/m³ the cracking pattern often resembles the unreinforced control because the filament count per unit volume is insufficient to bridge the crack path across the panel thickness. Drying shrinkage restraint after 24 h is compared by ASTM C1581/C1581M, where the time to first cracking is a ranking value rather than a design input. The fibre is not included in the flexural capacity calculation under ACI 360R or EN 1992-1-1, and it does not replace welded wire reinforcement, dowels, or joint design. Curing remains mandatory under EN 13670:2009, with a liquid membrane or covering applied within 30 min of finishing when the evaporation rate exceeds 0.5 kg/m²/h. The terminal product is a jointed industrial slab with reduced early-age surface cracking, a Class I microfibre classification under EN 14889-2:2006, and a 28 d compressive strength that is unchanged when the total fibre addition is held at or below 1.2 kg/m³ and the mixing procedure is controlled by the plant quality system. Under EU Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, the fibre is supplied with a Declaration of Performance based on EN 14889-2:2006; the DoP records length, diameter, tensile strength, and the effect on concrete using the specified test regime.
Precast elements cured in steel moulds under steam cycles present a different failure sequence from slab applications: demoulding stresses concentrate at thin ribs, return corners, and lifting-point recesses before the cementitious matrix has developed its full tensile capacity. A polypropylene microfibre addition of 0.6 kg/m³ to 1.0 kg/m³ is incorporated during the dry blending stage in a planetary pan mixer or twin-shaft compulsory mixer, before the high-range water reducer is discharged. For self-compacting precast mixes with a target slump flow above 550 mm by EN 12350-8:2019, the fibre addition can reduce slump flow by 30 mm to 50 mm; the polycarboxylate ether dosage is therefore adjusted during the qualification trial, not after the plant production batch is prepared. The low water/cement ratio of 0.35 to 0.45 requires the fibre to be thoroughly dispersed before adding the liquid admixture because hydrophobic polypropylene filaments can otherwise migrate with the fine fraction during high-shear mixing. The mould is filled through a controlled pour sequence or a side outlet in the case of self-compacting concrete, and the fibre remains suspended in the paste rather than segregating to the upper surface, provided the mixer discharge time is verified during the plant trial.
Steam curing at 60 °C to 70 °C does not thermally degrade the polypropylene because the fibre melt point is 160 °C to 170 °C; the residual thermal expansion difference between the fibre and the cement paste remains below the threshold that creates visible surface mapping. Demoulding trials under EN 13369:2023 are used to verify that green concrete at an age of 16 h to 24 h can be stripped without edge breakage; the microfibre contributes to green tensile strain capacity but is not considered in the lifting insert resistance or the structural capacity of the panel. Cast-in threaded sockets, lifting pins, and temporary bracing remain governed by the precast producer's static calculation and the applicable product standard. The finished precast element—typically a thin-wall cladding panel, drainage channel, or architectural ribbed unit—retains the specified cover to any internal steel mesh and shows fewer pop-outs and corner breaks after demoulding than an unreinforced control with the same mix design. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; the precise addition rate must be established by a full-scale mould trial because the geometry of the piece and the mould release agent affect the crack pattern at stripping.
During dry-mix shotcrete placement, the microfiber encounters a sequence of collisions in the material hose before it is wetted at the nozzle, and this transport path determines whether the fibre disperses as individual filaments or forms agglomerations that appear as dry pockets in the finished lining. The addition range for dry-mix shotcrete is 0.9 kg/m³ to 2.0 kg/m³, based on the dry aggregate and cement mass before water addition; at the 1.5 kg/m³ mid-range, the fibre is metered into the preblended dry material at the batching plant so that the fibre is not added at the nozzle where the water ring pressure is insufficient to distribute it uniformly. The shotcrete machine is typically a rotor-stator or double-chamber gun operating at an air pressure of 4 bar to 7 bar with a material hose diameter of 50 mm to 65 mm; hose bends with a radius below 200 mm and excessive hose lengths increase the risk of fibre accumulation at low pressure and should be avoided. The sprayability and early-age performance are specified under EN 14487-1:2022, with compressive strength verification according to EN 14488-2:2006; the microfibre does not replace the structural fibre requirement for energy absorption under EN 14488-3.
The cohesive action of the monofilament network has been reported in dry-mix spray trials to reduce the rebound of the paste fraction and the fine aggregate during the first pass on a rock surface, but the rebound rate remains sensitive to the nozzle angle, standoff distance, and surface moisture. Laboratory and field spray trials with dry-mix equipment show that fibre dosages above 1.5 kg/m³ can increase the pumping resistance and produce a dry, flaky layer if the water addition is not increased by 5 L/m³ to 10 L/m³; below 0.9 kg/m³, the fibre effect on rebound and plastic shrinkage is difficult to separate from normal batch variation. The finished lining for temporary tunnel support or slope stabilisation is inspected for cracking by visual mapping after 24 h and by coring where specified; the fibre's crack-control function is limited to the first 72 h because it does not provide long-term post-crack capacity. For permanent tunnel linings that require a defined residual flexural strength after cracking, a macro synthetic fibre conforming to EN 14889-2 Class II or a steel fibre conforming to EN 14889-1 is specified instead of, or in addition to, the microfibre.
The matrix below consolidates class-level dosage windows and the primary verification method for each application. The ranges are not product-specific design values; they are validated by a project trial with the same aggregate grading, mixer type, and placing temperature.
| Application | Typical addition range | Governing verification method | Test designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast-in-place industrial floor slabs | 0.6–1.2 kg/m³ | Plastic shrinkage cracking | ASTM C1579-21 |
| Thin-wall precast concrete | 0.6–1.0 kg/m³ | Demoulding trial and slump flow | EN 13369:2023, EN 12350-8:2019 |
| Dry-mix shotcrete and tunnel lining | 0.9–2.0 kg/m³ | Compressive strength and rebound | EN 14488-2:2006 |
| Cementitious repair mortars | 0.5–1.0 kg/m³ | Restrained shrinkage cracking | ASTM C1581/C1581M |
| Mass concrete and water-retaining structures | 0.9–1.5 kg/m³ | Water penetration and thermal cracking | EN 12390-8:2019, CIRIA C660 |
| Bonded overlays and white-topping | 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ | Plastic shrinkage and restrained shrinkage | ASTM C1579-21, ASTM C1581/C1581M |
Cementitious repair mortars placed in thicknesses below 40 mm lose water from both the exposed face and the absorptive substrate, so the crack-driving stress develops before the hydraulic bond reaches useful tensile capacity. In dry-mix repair formulations supplied as bagged mortar for EN 1504-3 class R3 or R4 concrete repair, the polypropylene microfibre is added at 0.5 kg/m³ to 1.0 kg/m³ of the wet mortar volume, which corresponds to approximately 0.1% to 0.5% by mass of the dry powder blend. The blending sequence in a horizontal ribbon mixer or vertical paddle mixer adopts a short dry pre-mix of the fibre with the coarse sand fraction before the cement, polymer powder, and cellulose ether are introduced; this step avoids the formation of fibre bundles that can occur when all powder components are charged simultaneously. The wet mortar is applied to the prepared substrate by trowel or wet-spray at a nominal thickness of 10 mm to 40 mm, and the restrained drying behaviour is ranked by ASTM C1581/C1581M or by a project-specific panel test under the conformity rules of EN 1504-3. The terminal product is a repair mortar with improved cohesion on vertical and overhead surfaces and a reduced tendency to form hairline plastic shrinkage cracks during hot, windy placement.
The fibre does not modify the structural class of the repair material, and it does not compensate for inadequate substrate preparation, missing steel replacement, or improper curing. The primary quality gate is the compressive strength and chloride ion resistance required by EN 1504-3 for the R3 or R4 class; the fibre is chemically inert in the alkaline repair environment and does not participate in the cement hydration reactions. For applications where the repair is exposed to sustained water pressure, water penetration is verified separately by EN 12390-8:2019; the microfiber affects surface crack formation but is not a substitute for the dense matrix or the specified cover to any embedded reinforcement.
When a concrete section exceeds 800 mm in least dimension, the adiabatic temperature rise may generate thermal differentials greater than 20 °C between the core and the exposed surface, and the resulting restraint is governed by the maturity and stiffness development of the concrete rather than by the load condition. In mass concrete foundations, raft slabs, and water-retaining walls placed under EN 206:2013+A2:2021 and EN 13670:2009, the polypropylene microfibre is typically specified at 0.9 kg/m³ to 1.5 kg/m³ to reduce the width of surface cracks that open during the first 72 h due to thermal shock at formwork removal or cold weather. The fibre is added at the batch plant to the aggregates before the low-heat binder system, which may contain slag or fly ash; it does not alter the binder chemistry or the heat of hydration, and it is not a substitute for temperature control measures such as cooled mix water, post-cooling pipes, surface insulation, or pour sequencing.
Water penetration resistance for retaining structures is verified by EN 12390-8:2019 on concrete that has been cured for 28 d; the microfiber’s contribution is limited to reducing the continuity of surface microcracks that may appear before the specified curing regime begins. Restrained shrinkage cracking is ranked by ASTM C1581/C1581M or by the temperature-stress testing method described in CIRIA C660; published data for this specific configuration is limited, and the extension of time to first crack should not be used as a design parameter. Formwork removal sequences remain governed by the strength development measured on cubes or cylinders according to EN 12390-3:2019; for large-area formwork, the contractor typically removes the formwork no earlier than the time when the surface temperature differential measured by embedded thermocouples is less than 15 °C to 20 °C, with the lower value applied when the cover to reinforcement is less than 50 mm. The finished water-retaining structure is then filled only after the joint sealing system has been installed and the specified watertightness test has been completed; no microfibre dosage changes that requirement.
In bonded concrete overlays placed below 150 mm on asphalt or existing concrete substrates, the governing failure mechanism shifts from flexural fatigue to plastic shrinkage and interface delamination. The polypropylene microfibre is added at 0.9 kg/m³ to 1.8 kg/m³ for concrete that is placed by slip-form paver or roller screed, with the upper limit controlled by the surface finish requirements of the paving specification. For a slip-form paver operating at a line speed of 1.0 m/min to 3.0 m/min, microfibre additions above 1.8 kg/m³ can increase edge slump and surface tearing while the paver pan is still in contact with the fresh slab; the concrete producer therefore evaluates the mixture at the actual paving speed before the main pour. Plastic shrinkage cracking for the overlay is assessed by ASTM C1579-21, and the restrained shrinkage behaviour is compared by ASTM C1581/C1581M using cylinders cast from the same batch. Slump at the point of placement is measured by ASTM C143/C143M or EN 12350-2:2019, with a target value set by the paving contractor to maintain the specified cross-slope and edge geometry.
The terminal concrete overlay, commonly a white-topping or thin concrete pavement for truck lanes, bus aprons, and container yards, is sawn into panels with joint spacing calculated from the slab thickness and the base restraint; the microfibre is not included in the structural thickness design and does not replace dowels, tie bars, or load-transfer devices. Quality control during placement follows the frequency and test section requirements of the project specification, including compressive strength by EN 12390-3:2019 and air content by ASTM C231/C231M. The fibre's measurable function is confined to early-age crack width control, and the long-term performance of the overlay is governed by joint sealing, curing, and the mechanical interlock or bond with the substrate.
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Adfil Syntec is a synthetic polypropylene microfibre intended for concrete reinforcement at early ages, specifically for controlling plastic shrinkage, plastic settlement, and restrained early-age crack propagation in slabs, pavements, repair mortars, and sprayed concrete linings. The product is manufactured as a 100% virgin polypropylene monofilament in nominal lengths of 6 mm and 12 mm; the 6 mm grade is specified for thin sections, screeds, overlays, and polished floors, while the 12 mm grade is used where aggregate size and placement method permit the longer fibre geometry. Under the harmonised classification of EN 14889-2:2006, the fibre is a Class I polymer microfibre with an equivalent diameter below 0.30 mm. Under ASTM C1116/C1116M-23, it falls within Type III synthetic fibre-reinforced concrete. The product is supplied in pre-weighed water-soluble bags of 0.9 kg for direct batching into central mixers or ready-mix trucks.
Manufacturer-published technical data list a specific gravity of 0.91 g/cm³, a melting point of 160–165 °C, and water absorption below 0.1% by mass. Tensile strength is reported as 300–400 MPa with tensile modulus between 3.5 GPa and 4.0 GPa, consistent with a semi-crystalline isotactic polypropylene backbone rather than a high-modulus steel or glass fibre. The low modulus is relevant to early-age crack control: it permits large strain capability at low stress, allowing the microfibre network to bridge fine crack tips without introducing the rigid stress concentrations associated with high-modulus fibres in plastic concrete. The fibre is hydrophobic, does not corrode, and resists degradation in alkaline pore solution; manufacturer immersion data in pH 12.5 sodium hydroxide at 20 °C for 28 days indicate no significant loss in tensile strength.
Plastic shrinkage cracking develops when surface evaporation exceeds bleeding rate, producing capillary tensile stress in the upper paste layer. A microfibre network with a high count per kilogram shortens the distance between adjacent filaments and provides crack-arresting surfaces at spacing that is small relative to the developing crack width. This is the reason monofilament geometry matters, not simply the mass of polypropylene added. At 0.6 kg/m³ dosage, a 6 mm fibre with 0.018 mm diameter provides roughly 7.2 × 10⁸ individual filaments per cubic metre; the same mass of a 12 mm fibrillated tape may produce an order-of-magnitude lower count, so crack spacing is wider and bridge efficiency is lower. This mechanism does not increase compressive strength; it alters the early-age tensile strain capacity of the plastic concrete. Evaluation of restrained plastic shrinkage cracking is typically conducted under ASTM C1579-21, with the mass-loss boundary condition adjusted to produce standardised evaporation rates. Published data for Adfil Syntec under ASTM C1579-21 specific conditions is limited; comparative trials should use a control mix with identical cement content, aggregate grading, and water-cementitious ratio.
| Declared property | Standard or test method | Value or classification |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre type | EN 14889-2:2006 | Class I polymer microfibre, equivalent diameter below 0.30 mm |
| Material | ASTM C1116/C1116M-23 | Type III synthetic fibre |
| Specific gravity | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 0.91 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength | ISO 2062:2009 | 300–400 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-1:2019 | 3.5–4.0 GPa |
| Melting point | ISO 11357-3:2018 | 160–165 °C |
| Water absorption | ISO 62:2008 | <0.1% |
| Alkali resistance | ASTM D543-20 | pH 12.5 NaOH at 20 °C for 28 days, no significant tensile strength loss |
In central mix plant operations, the addition sequence is critical because the low density of the fibre can lead to electrostatic agglomeration and non-uniform distribution. The fibre bags should be added onto the aggregates before water and cement; this sequence uses the aggregate bed to break open the water-soluble packaging and disperse the monofilaments under mechanical shear. Twin-shaft mixers with a 1.0 m³ batch capacity require 4–5 min post-water mixing at high shear to achieve uniform fibre distribution. Mixing beyond 6 min does not improve fibre distribution and may entrain additional air or reduce workability. For ready-mix trucks, the drum should rotate at 12–18 rpm during fibre addition; addition below 6 rpm has been associated in production batch records with fibre balling at the drum fins.
Dosage for plastic shrinkage control is typically 0.6–0.9 kg/m³, equivalent to one 0.9 kg bag per 1.0–1.5 m³ of concrete. At 0.9 kg/m³, batch records commonly show a slump loss of 10–20 mm; the correction is made with a high-range water-reducing admixture, not with added water. Increasing the free water mass alters the water-cementitious materials ratio and reduces the crack-control benefit of the fibre. The manufacturer’s maximum practical dosage for this fibre is 1.2 kg/m³; beyond that level, production-scale twin-shaft mixers show a non-linear increase in fibre agglomerates at the discharge gate and a reduction in pumpability through 125 mm hose diameters. At the specified equivalent diameter range of 0.018–0.030 mm and 6 mm length, the calculated fibre count is approximately 2.6 × 10⁸ to 7.2 × 10⁸ fibres per kilogram. That count is substantially higher than a comparable-mass fibrillated tape microfibre, which is one operational difference observed in batching and finishing.
For sprayed concrete, the 12 mm grade can be added at 0.6–0.9 kg/m³ to the wet-mix or dry-mix line. Field experience indicates that introducing the fibre into pre-damped aggregate feed reduces fibre rebound compared with adding dry fibre directly at the nozzle. The fibre does not replace steel mesh for ground support; it is used to reduce early-age cracking in primary linings. Published data for this specific product in wet-mix sprayed concrete is limited, but the polymer fibre’s low density means rebound loss is often lower than steel fibre rebound at equivalent volume fraction. No structural capacity should be assigned to the microfibre in tunnel lining design.
Adfil Syntec is not a substitute for structural steel reinforcement under EN 1992-1-1 or ACI 318-19. The fibre is excluded from ultimate moment and shear capacity calculations because its low tensile modulus and 0.6–0.9 kg/m³ volume fraction do not provide post-crack structural redundancy at the macroscale. Its design role is early-age crack control, plastic settlement reduction, and durability improvement. Where structural crack-width control after loading is required, the mix design should include conventional reinforcement, macro-synthetic fibres, or steel fibres in addition to the microfibre. Published data for hybrid configurations of Adfil Syntec with structural macrofibres at this specific dosage is limited; evaluation should follow ASTM C1609/C1609M-19 for flexural toughness and EN 14651:2005+A1:2007 for residual flexural tensile strength.
| Parameter | Adfil Syntec Class I microfibre | Steel hook-end fibre | Macro-synthetic Class II fibre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.91 g/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³ | 0.91–0.95 g/cm³ |
| Tensile modulus | 3.5–4.0 GPa | 210 GPa | 5–10 GPa |
| Equivalent diameter | 0.018–0.030 mm | 0.50–1.00 mm | 0.30–0.70 mm |
| Typical dosage | 0.6–0.9 kg/m³ | 20–60 kg/m³ | 3–9 kg/m³ |
| Primary design function | Early-age plastic shrinkage control | Post-crack structural capacity and toughness | Post-crack energy absorption in slabs |
The comparative table separates the product from steel fibres, which provide post-crack structural capacity but carry density and corrosion concerns, and from macro-synthetic Class II fibres, which are designed for energy absorption at much higher dosage. Within the Class I microfibre group, the principal difference is geometry: Adfil Syntec is a monofilament rather than a fibrillated tape. The monofilament’s higher fibre count per kilogram and smoother surface alter the fibre-cement paste interface and produce a different finishing response; field observations indicate trowel drag is typically lower than with fibrillated tape at equal dosage, but published data for this specific product is limited. The finer diameter also permits more even distribution in low-slump concrete and reduces surface fibre visibility compared with older tape products.
Compared with polyvinyl alcohol microfibres, which have tensile modulus in the range 25–40 GPa and are hydrophilic, the polypropylene surface is hydrophobic and has a lower modulus of 3.5–4.0 GPa; PVA fibres tend to show stronger chemical bonding to cement paste but can agglomerate in low-shear mixers and are typically more expensive. Compared with alkali-resistant glass fibres, the polypropylene product does not contribute to long-term efflorescence and has no brittle fracture mode. Compared with cellulose ether-based rheology control admixtures, the fibre is not water-soluble and does not alter hydration kinetics; it acts as a physical crack-bridging phase rather than a viscosity modifier.
Production-scale experience with twin-shaft mixers indicates that batch-to-batch variation in fibre dosing can arise from electrostatic clumping if fibre bags are stored above 50 °C or exposed to relative humidity above 80%. The manufacturer recommends storage in sealed packaging at 5–35 °C. Fibre bags exposed to free water before batching can form a surface film that delays dispersion; bags should not be placed on wet aggregate stockpiles. In central mix plants, weigh-belt systems should be inspected for fibre carryover because the 0.91 g/cm³ density can cause static accumulation on hopper walls. Air-entraining admixture compatibility is not assumed: the hydrophobic fibre surface can perturb the entrained air void spacing factor, so fresh air content should be tested under EN 12350-7:2019 or ASTM C231/C231M-17a when an air-entraining agent is used. In freeze-thaw exposure, target air volumes of 4–7% may require adjustment to the air-entraining admixture dosage after fibre addition.
