Fiberglass reinforcement for cementitious and alkaline environments
AR (Alkali Resistant) fiberglass is a class of glass-fiber reinforcement developed to retain better reinforcing performance in high-alkalinity material systems, especially concrete and cement mortar. Compared with conventional E-glass, AR glass is the more appropriate choice when the reinforcement will remain in long-term contact with an alkaline cementitious matrix.
AR glass gets its alkali resistance from zirconia (ZrO₂) in the glass composition itself – the AR fiber supplied by GKFRP contains ZrO₂ ≥ 16.5%. Unlike E-glass mesh that relies on an external alkali-resistant coating, AR fiber is inherently alkali resistant and retains strength long-term in cement.
AR fiberglass is supplied in several forms depending on the manufacturing process and reinforcement objective, including chopped strands for dispersed reinforcement, CSM mat, reinforcement mesh and continuous roving.
Key benefits
- Suitable for concrete, mortar and other alkaline cementitious matrices
- Supports crack control and distributed reinforcement
- Available in multiple forms for different processing methods
- Suitable for thin sections, coatings, panels and architectural components
Common AR fiberglass forms
- Chopped Strands: dispersed into cementitious or mortar mixes.
- CSM Mat: random-fiber sheet reinforcement for continuous surface or structural layers.
- Reinforcement Mesh: used in mortar, render, panels and surface-reinforcement systems. See fiberglass mesh.
- Roving: continuous glass reinforcement for specialized processing or continuous-fiber placement.
Typical properties – AR glass roving ARC13-2400
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | AR-glass fiber |
| ZrO₂ content | ≥ 16.5% |
| Filament diameter | 13 ± 2 µm |
| Strand linear weight | 98 ± 10 tex |
| Roving linear weight | 2400 ± 240 tex |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 |
| Elastic modulus | 78 GN/m² |
| Tensile strength | 1.4 GN/m² |
| Moisture content | ≤ 0.2% |
| Size content | 0.8–2.0% |
| Softening temperature | 860°C |
| Fire resistance | Incombustible (inorganic) |
Chopped strands, CSM mat and AR mesh are supplied to the required specification.
Typical applications
- GFRC/GRC – glass fiber reinforced concrete
- Cement boards, panels and architectural elements
- Repair mortars and cementitious coatings
- Crack-control reinforcement in plaster and render systems
- Precast and thin-section concrete components
AR fiberglass is a material family, not a single grade. Sizing, cut length, areal weight, construction and compatibility with the cementitious matrix should be selected for the specific process and product.