| HS Code | 208825 |
| Product Name | MasterFiber 018 - Polypropylene Microfiber for Concrete |
| Material Composition | 100% virgin polypropylene |
| Fiber Type | Monofilament microfiber |
| Color | White |
| Fiber Length | 18 mm |
| Fiber Diameter | 0.032 mm |
| Aspect Ratio | 563 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.91 |
| Density | 0.91 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | 350-400 MPa |
| Elastic Modulus | 3.5-4.0 GPa |
| Elongation At Break | 15-20% |
| Melting Point | 160-170 °C |
| Ignition Point | >350 °C |
| Alkali Resistance | Excellent |
| Acid Resistance | Excellent |
| Water Absorption | Nil |
| Moisture Content | <0.1% |
| Thermal Conductivity | Low |
| Electrical Conductivity | Low |
| Magnetic | No |
| Dosage Range | 0.6-1.8 kg/m³ |
| Packaging | 0.6 kg bags |
| Shelf Life | 2 years |
As an accredited MasterFiber 018 - Polypropylene Microfiber for Concrete factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | MasterFiber 018 packaging consists of 0.6 kg water-soluble bags, typically supplied in cartons for convenient direct dosing into concrete. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loaded with palletized MasterFiber 018 polypropylene microfiber bags for concrete, securely stowed and braced for transport. |
| Shipping | MasterFiber 018 is a non-hazardous polypropylene microfiber, not regulated for transport by DOT/IMDG/IATA. It is supplied in moisture-resistant bags or cartons, palletized and shrink-wrapped. Ship as general cargo in clean, dry vehicles. No UN number, hazard class, or packing group required. Protect from moisture, contamination, and package damage. |
| Storage | Store MasterFiber 018 in its original, sealed packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Protect from moisture, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures. Keep away from open flames, ignition sources, acids, alkalis, and strong oxidizers. Avoid generating dust. Stack pallets securely and keep containers closed when not in use. Follow local regulations and the SDS; use first-in, first-out stock rotation. |
| Shelf Life | Indefinite shelf life if stored in original unopened packaging under dry, clean conditions; protect from moisture, contamination, and direct sunlight. |
MasterFiber 018, a polypropylene microfiber with a material density of approximately 0.91 g/cm³, is introduced in ready-mixed concrete for elevated deck slabs and slab-on-ground placements where high early-age evaporation rates produce plastic shrinkage cracking at the top surface. The addition range for this segment is 0.9–1.8 kg/m³, equivalent to a volumetric fraction of approximately 0.1–0.2%; the lower bound of 0.9 kg/m³ is the most common plant addition for interior slabs on metal deck, while higher values are reserved for placements with wind velocities above 4.5 m/s or concrete temperatures above 29°C. The governing fiber-reinforced concrete specification is ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III, and the fiber product is typically required to meet EN 14889-2:2006 for non-structural polymer fiber. The floor construction guide ACI 302.1R-15 recognizes the use of low-volume synthetic fiber for plastic shrinkage crack reduction, while ready-mix batching and mixing are governed by ASTM C94/C94M. In central-mix plants fitted with 2.5–4.0 m³ twin-shaft compulsory mixers, the fiber bags are discharged into the aggregate weigh-belt stream rather than directly into the mixing pan; adding fiber after water can produce agglomerated fiber balls that carry onto the pump hopper screen. Ready-mix practice is to mix at high drum speed for a minimum of 70 revolutions after fiber addition, then verify discharge consistency by sampling at three points in the concrete stream. Placement by truck-mounted boom pump with a 100–125 mm delivery line does not normally require line pressure adjustment above the control mix when dosage is below 1.5 kg/m³; above that threshold, a slight increase in viscosity can reduce free fall from the tremie but does not eliminate segregation if aggregate packing is poor. The end products in this segment include large-area distribution center floor slabs, composite steel deck floors in mid-rise commercial buildings, and unheated warehouse ground slabs, where the fiber is used to reduce top-surface crack visibility and to protect against early-age drying before sawcut timing begins. MasterFiber 018 does not replace welded-wire reinforcement or structural macrofiber in these applications; published data on residual flexural strength for this specific polymer fiber is limited, and post-crack load capacity should not be assigned.
| Application segment | Primary application standard(s) | Fiber specification | Typical addition range | Process boundary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slab-on-grade / composite steel deck | ACI 302.1R-15; ASTM C94/C94M | ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III; EN 14889-2:2006 | 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ | Add via aggregate weigh belt; 70 post-addition revolutions |
| Dry-cast precast | ASTM C1577 | ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III; EN 14889-2:2006 | 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ | Pre-blend dry fiber with aggregate 30–45 s |
| Wet-mix shotcrete | EN 14487-1; ACI 506R-16; ASTM C1436-13 | ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III; EN 14889-2:2006 | 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ | Batch-plant addition; nozzle angle 80–90° |
| Architectural precast / polished countertop | ACI 533.1R | ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III; EN 14889-2:2006 | 0.6–1.2 kg/m³ | Keep ≤1.2 kg/m³ to limit visible fiber ends |
| Screed / repair mortar | EN 13813:2002; ASTM C387/C387M | EN 14889-2:2006 | 0.6–1.5 kg/m³ | Flow test under EN 12706 above 1.2 kg/m³ |
| Liquid-retaining structures | ACI 350-20; ACI 350.1 | ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III; EN 14889-2:2006 | 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ | Not a waterproofing agent; waterstops required |
In dry-cast precast concrete production, the addition of MasterFiber 018 at 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ is used to improve green strength during immediate demolding and to limit edge spalling in zero-slump mixes compacted by external vibration. The applicable product standard for dry-cast fiber-reinforced precast is ASTM C1577, and the fiber should conform to EN 14889-2:2006 when CE marking is required for EU sales. Unlike ready-mixed concrete, dry-cast mixes contain no measurable slump, and fibers are pre-blended with the aggregate fraction for 30–45 seconds in a pan mixer or spiral-blade mixer before cement and water are introduced; adding fiber after the water has been added to a dry-cast batch can create fiber clusters that adhere to the gate seal on the discharge chute. In precast plants using automated carousel systems with mold vibration frequencies of 50–60 Hz, the fiber does not alter the compaction energy requirement measurably at 0.1% by volume, but increasing dosage to 0.2% can slightly stiffen the dry mix and require an additional 1–2 seconds of vibration to close surface voids. MasterFiber 018 is incorporated into precast concrete pipe, box culverts, manhole rings, catch basin blocks, segmental retaining wall units, and dry-cast concrete pavers. Fiber performance in these units is limited to early-age crack control and handling damage reduction; the fiber does not replace steel reinforcement cages or synthetic macrofibers where structural load-bearing capacity is required under ring flexure or installation loads.
Wet-mix shotcrete for tunnel lining and slope stabilization uses MasterFiber 018 at 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ to increase the cohesion of the fresh concrete stream and to reduce the separation of hardened cement paste from the projected surface during overhead work. The governing application standards include EN 14487-1 for sprayed concrete specification, ACI 506R-16 for shotcrete construction guidance, and ASTM C1436-13 for shotcrete materials; the fiber itself is specified under ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III or EN 14889-2:2006. In wet-mix production, the fiber is added at the batch plant in a conventional ready-mix truck rather than at the nozzle; dry fiber introduced through a hopper screen at the project site tends to clog the 50–65 mm pump line reducers and increases batch-to-batch pump pressure variability. Published rebound values for this specific product are limited, but field measurements in underground development headings show that rebound in plain wet-mix shotcrete commonly falls in the 20–30% range and that polypropylene microfiber additions at 0.9–1.4 kg/m³ are associated with a measurable reduction in rebound only when nozzle angle is maintained at 80–90° to the receiving surface and air flow is kept between 4–6 m³/min. The fiber does not compensate for inadequate alkali-free accelerator dosing; in fact, accelerated mixes with high early-age stiffening can still crack if the spray layer is not kept within the 50–100 mm per pass thickness commonly used for tunnel support. End products include permanent and temporary shotcrete linings in road and rail tunnels, rock slope stabilization shells, shaft lining in underground stations, and repair of deteriorated concrete dams, where the fiber lowers the visibility of plastic shrinkage cracks in the sprayed layer but does not replace mesh or lattice girders for ground support.
In architectural precast and cast-in-mold countertop production, MasterFiber 018 is added at a lower range of 0.6–1.2 kg/m³ to limit plastic shrinkage cracking in high-surface-area panels and to protect thin edges during demolding and transport. The lower range is selected because this product, like other polypropylene microfibers, can produce visible fiber ends on diamond-polished surfaces when dosage exceeds 1.2 kg/m³ and when the concrete is ground to a 50-grit or finer polish. The applicable standards for this segment are ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III for fiber designation and ACI 533.1R for architectural precast concrete design guidance; where the product carries CE marking, EN 14889-2:2006 attests to the polymer fiber properties. Production is performed in small-batch planetary mixers or 0.5–1.0 m³ rotating pan mixers, with the fiber pre-suspended in the dry aggregate before water addition and mixed for 6–8 minutes after the superplasticizer has been introduced. Casting onto vibration tables at a frequency of 40–55 Hz densifies the mix, and the fiber does not alter the command-to-command repeatability of a CNC diamond polishing line when the addition is kept at 0.9 kg/m³; batches approached as handcrafted countertop pours with uncontrolled water addition can show increased surface air pitting if the fiber dosage is not adjusted for the reduced slump. End product types include polished concrete countertops, vanity tops, architectural wall panels, reception desk surfaces, precast fireplace surrounds, and furniture-grade concrete elements. The fiber is not intended for structural tensile reinforcement in thin panels; lifting anchors and steel armatures remain mandatory where a panel must resist flexural stress during demolding, handling, or installation.
Bonded and unbonded cementitious screed and repair mortar production incorporates MasterFiber 018 at 0.6–1.5 kg/m³ to reduce plastic shrinkage cracking in thin sections where the surface-to-volume ratio is high. The relevant material standard for the screed is EN 13813:2002, while the fiber component is specified as EN 14889-2:2006; for packaged dry mixes in North America, the mixed product may be tested under ASTM C387/C387M for compressive strength and consistency retention. In factory production, the fiber is metered into a continuous conical screw mixer or a batch paddle mixer with the dry sand-cement components before bagging; the mixing sequence avoids the fiber flocculation observed when fibers are added to a high-speed dispersion mixer that has already been wetted. On site, the dry mortar is combined with water in a forced-action paddle mixer for 3–5 minutes, and the fiber does not change the mixing water requirement below 1.2 kg/m³. Above this dosage, self-leveling underlayments may show a reduction in flow spread, and the mix should be tested under EN 12706 before the smoothness-critical top coat is applied. End product types include bonded cement-based self-leveling underlayments, hand-applied screeds, repair mortars for concrete edge restoration, and thin ramp toppings, where the fiber reduces surface crack count but is not a substitute for polymer modification or proper curing membrane application.
For water and wastewater treatment structures, MasterFiber 018 is adopted at 0.9–1.8 kg/m³ as a secondary measure to reduce early-age plastic shrinkage cracks in long wall and slab placements before curing compounds are applied. The primary structural code for such placements is ACI 350-20, and liquid-tightness design follows the crack-width provisions in ACI 350.1; the fiber must meet ASTM C1116/C1116M, Type III or EN 14889-2:2006 when specified under European norms. In cast-in-place construction, the fiber is added at the batch plant or to the truck drum at the site, and normal immersion poker vibration with head diameters of 25–60 mm is used for consolidation; the fiber does not alter the consolidation requirement, but it also cannot close cold joints, form-tie holes, or honeycombing caused by improper insertion spacing. Mixing is governed by ASTM C94/C94M, and the fiber addition at the plant is preferred because job-site truck additions can delay placement crews and create fiber balls in the top 150 mm of the drum if loading is too fast. MasterFiber 018 has no measurable effect on water permeability under DIN 1048-2 or EN 12390-8 at normal dosage, and published data on water tightness improvement for this specific product is limited; therefore, the fiber must be treated as a plastic shrinkage crack control additive rather than a waterproofing agent. End products include clarifier basin walls, aeration tank slabs, sump structures, drainage channels, and wet-well linings in municipal and industrial facilities, where the fiber reduces visible early-age surface cracks but does not replace waterstops, joint sealants, or hydrophobic pore-blocking admixtures.
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Plastic shrinkage cracking in concrete develops when the evaporation rate at the placed surface exceeds the bleed rate during the first 6–8 h after placement. MasterFiber 018 is a monofilament polypropylene microsynthetic fiber introduced at the concrete batching stage to create a distributed network of discrete reinforcing elements in the hydrating mortar. The product is classified under ASTM C1116/C1116 as a Type III synthetic fiber and under EN 14889-2 as a polymer microfibre. Its primary function is the control of early-age plastic shrinkage cracking, not the provision of post-crack structural capacity in hardened concrete.
Published physicochemical data for MasterFiber 018 describe a specific gravity of 0.91, a nominal fiber length of 12 mm, and nil water absorption when evaluated in accordance with ASTM D570. The base polymer is polypropylene homopolymer. Because the fiber is hydrophobic and non-metallic, it does not contribute to corrosion of embedded steel and remains stable in the alkaline pore solution of concrete. The product is supplied as discrete monofilaments rather than fibrillated tape, which influences its dispersion behavior and its effect on mix water demand.
| Property | Published value | Test or classification reference |
|---|---|---|
| Base polymer | Polypropylene homopolymer | Manufacturer product designation |
| Fibre geometry | Monofilament, straight | Supplier lot inspection |
| Nominal length | 12 mm | Supplier quality control, EN 14889-2 declaration |
| Specific gravity | 0.91 | ISO 1183-1 |
| Water absorption | Nil | ASTM D570 |
| Alkali resistance | No degradation in saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution | ASTM C1116/C1116, Type III |
| Melting temperature range of polypropylene | 160–170 °C | ISO 11357-3 |
The functional position of MasterFiber 018 differs fundamentally from steel fiber and macro polymer fiber reinforcement. The product is specified to interrupt plastic shrinkage microcracks before they coalesce into visible surface cracking. At a typical addition rate of 0.9 kg/m³, the fiber count per unit volume is sufficiently high that individual microcracks encounter multiple monofilaments while the cementitious matrix still has limited tensile strain capacity. This crack-bridging effect is governed primarily by fiber count and spacing rather than fiber tensile strength.
Steel fiber reinforcement is typically batched at 20–60 kg/m³ and is evaluated by ASTM C1609/C1609 for residual flexural strength after first crack. Steel fibers alter the hardened flexural toughness of concrete and may contribute to structural crack-width control. MasterFiber 018 does not replace primary steel reinforcing bars, welded-wire reinforcement, or structural steel fibers. Published flexural residual strength data for this specific microsynthetic product are limited because microfibers of this class are not expected to generate significant post-crack residual strength ratios in ASTM C1609/C1609 beam tests.
Macro polymer fibers are longer and thicker than microsynthetic fibers, with typical lengths of 30–60 mm and dosages of 3–9 kg/m³. They provide post-crack energy absorption in ground-supported slabs and are classified under EN 14889-2 as Class II products. In contrast, MasterFiber 018 is a Class I microfibre with an equivalent diameter below 0.30 mm. The difference in geometry leads to a much higher fiber count per kilogram and a correspondingly greater ability to arrest thin plastic-state microcracks, but a negligible contribution to hardened post-crack flexural capacity.
Compared with fibrillated polypropylene microfibers, the monofilament geometry of MasterFiber 018 does not require the mechanical opening of a tape or film network during mixing. Fibrillated products can split into interconnected mesh-like structures under high shear, which may increase mix viscosity and can produce partially fibrillated bundles in low-energy mixers. Field handling observations indicate that monofilament products disperse more evenly when added with the aggregate stream, producing a lower risk of fiber balling at equivalent addition rates. Published comparative studies for similar monofilament polypropylene microfibers show plastic shrinkage crack area reductions of 50–90% in restrained-slab tests conducted in accordance with ASTM C1579 at a dosage of 0.9 kg/m³, depending on cementitious content, evaporation rate, and slab geometry.
| Parameter | MasterFiber 018 microsynthetic | Macro polymer fiber | Steel fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical length | 12 mm | 30–60 mm | 35–60 mm |
| Typical dosage | 0.6–1.8 kg/m³ | 3–9 kg/m³ | 20–60 kg/m³ |
| Primary performance window | Plastic shrinkage crack reduction | Post-crack energy absorption in ground-supported slabs | Structural post-crack flexural capacity |
| Corrosion risk | None | None | Surface staining if exposed |
| Relevant standard | ASTM C1116/C1116 Type III, EN 14889-2 Class I | ASTM C1116/C1116 Type III, EN 14889-2 Class II | ASTM C1116/C1116 Type I, EN 14889-1 |
Production batching records from ready-mix operations indicate that MasterFiber 018 should be introduced with the aggregates whenever possible. In dry-batch plants, the fiber is discharged after the coarse aggregate and before the cementitious powder, allowing 30–60 s of dry mixing before water addition. In central-mix plants, adding the fiber with the aggregate stream rather than directly into the slurry reduces the tendency of monofilaments to cluster on mixer blades and discharge gates. Twin-shaft batch mixers and pan mixers operating at 45–60 rpm have been used successfully at dosages up to 1.8 kg/m³ when the addition point is controlled.
Addition rates above 1.8 kg/m³ may introduce measurable workability loss. The slump reduction is mix-specific and should be quantified by ASTM C143/C143M. Published industry ranges for equivalent monofilament microfibers at 1.8 kg/m³ commonly report slump reductions of 10–25 mm relative to the same mix without fiber. A high-range water-reducing admixture conforming to ASTM C494/C494 may be used to compensate, but the adjusted dosage must be verified in a plant trial batch. The lower effective range is approximately 0.6 kg/m³; below this level the fiber network may be too sparse to intercept plastic shrinkage microcracks under high-evaporation conditions.
Because polypropylene has a low surface energy and does not chemically bond to cement paste, the hardened fiber-matrix bond is mechanical and frictional. The product is inert with respect to polycarboxylate ether, naphthalene sulfonate, and lignosulfonate-based admixtures. No adverse chemical interaction with common air-entraining admixtures has been identified. However, the fiber can alter air void stability in some mixes. The air content of the trial batch should be measured in accordance with ASTM C231/C231 or EN 12350-7 to confirm that the specified air void system is maintained.
Pumping of concrete containing MasterFiber 018 at 0.9 kg/m³ does not usually require an increase in pipeline diameter. Where pump lines contain reductions below 100 mm or long horizontal sections with multiple elbows, the site agent should verify that no monofilament accumulation occurs at the reducer. The fiber is non-magnetic and does not cause accelerated wear of pump wear plates, although high-volume placements should follow normal wear-part inspection intervals.
Finishing operations require a timing adjustment because the fiber is hydrophobic and may be exposed at the surface under aggressive power trowel operation. A power trowel with high blade speed can bring monofilaments to the surface and produce a fuzzy surface texture. Finishability is improved by timing the trowel pass according to bleed water appearance and by avoiding overworking of the surface. Guidance on placing and finishing concrete containing synthetic microfibers is provided in ACI 302.1R. The final surface should be checked for loose monofilaments; any visible surface fibers can be addressed by a final trowel pass while the paste is still workable.
Specification compliance for polymer microfibers is anchored to ASTM C1116/C1116 Type III in North America and to EN 14889-2 in the European Union. Under the European standard, Class I polymer microfibres have an equivalent diameter below 0.30 mm. The manufacturer must provide a declaration of performance that includes the relevant mechanical and physical properties of the fiber. The specifier should request the product data sheet, CE declaration, and alkali-resistance validation before acceptance at the batch plant. Published data for this specific configuration are limited in the area of fire resistance; fire design should be performed in accordance with EN 1992-1-2 or the applicable building code, and the product should not be relied upon to prevent fire-induced spalling.
MasterFiber 018 is not a replacement for structural reinforcement. The product does not increase the hardened tensile strength of concrete and does not mitigate drying shrinkage strain. If crack-width control from drying shrinkage is required, the mix design should include supplementary measures such as shrinkage-reducing admixtures, extended moist curing in accordance with ACI 308, or suitable joint design. The fiber is also not intended for use in autoclaved concrete where processing temperatures approach the polypropylene melting range of 160–170 °C. In such conditions, the monofilaments soften and lose their physical integrity before hydration at elevated temperature is complete.
For slab-on-ground applications where plastic shrinkage cracking is the dominant early-age risk, MasterFiber 018 is typically batched at 0.9 kg/m³. The product is mixed with the aggregate stream, pumped through conventional concrete pumps, and finished with standard power trowel equipment. Site trial slabs placed under expected evaporation conditions provide the most reliable indication of field performance because laboratory restrained-slab testing under ASTM C1579 controls the evaporation rate and cannot fully reproduce wind shadowing, subgrade moisture, or finishing sequences on the placement deck.
The operational boundary is defined by the product geometry and dosage. At dosage levels below 0.6 kg/m³, the number of discrete fibers per unit volume is generally insufficient to control plastic shrinkage microcracks under severe evaporation. At dosage levels above 1.8 kg/m³, the addition may reduce slump and produce surface fuzz without a proportional increase in early-age crack control. The product should therefore be specified within the range of 0.6–1.8 kg/m³, with the exact rate selected on the basis of a trial batch and the anticipated evaporation conditions at the time of placement.
MasterFiber 018 differs from other microsynthetic products primarily in its monofilament cross-section and its specified length of 12 mm. The monofilament geometry provides a uniform fiber cross-section and avoids the mixing-energy dependence associated with fibrillated polypropylene tapes. The product does not provide the post-crack toughness associated with macro polymer fibers or steel fibers, and it should not be assigned any structural post-crack load capacity in design. Its specification role is confined to plastic-state crack control and minor early-age microcrack bridging in concrete slabs, pavements, and other flatwork.
The melting range of the base polymer is a critical operational boundary for any application involving high-temperature curing or fire exposure. The polypropylene melts at 160–170 °C, leaving channels in the cementitious matrix that may allow vapor release but do not constitute a structural fire-resistance mechanism. Published fire-test data for MasterFiber 018 in structural concrete are limited; design for fire resistance should reference EN 1992-1-2 or the applicable national standard, and the product should not be used as a fire spalling mitigation measure unless supported by project-specific testing.
