Enhancement of reinforcing fibers, their applications, and methods of making same
The invention relates to composite reinforcing fibers infused or compounded with pulp fibers and/or nano-fibers. The composite reinforcing fibers are composed of polymer, e.g., polymer resin. The pulp fibers and/or nano-fibers impart improved tensile strength to the composite reinforcing fibers, as well as a resulting product formed by the fibers. The composite reinforcing fibers may be used in a variety of cementitious applications, wherein traditional reinforcing fibers are typically used.
1. A cementitious reinforcing fiber, comprising:
an extruded, composite reinforcing fiber, comprising:
a substantially uniform mixture, comprising:
a resin comprising synthetic polymer; and
a master batch, comprising:
a water-soluble resin; and
a fiber blend, comprising:
pulp fiber; and
nano-fiber.
2. The cementitious reinforcing fiber of claim 1 , wherein the nano-fiber comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbon nano-fiber, carbon nano-tube, graphene nano-ribbon and mixtures thereof.
3. The cementitious reinforcing fiber of claim 1 , wherein the cementitious reinforcing fiber has a higher tensile strength, as compared to a reinforcing fiber absent of said fiber blend.
4. The cementitious reinforcing fiber of claim 1 , wherein the pulp fiber comprises a material selected from the group consisting of mica, polyacrylonitrile, aramid and mixtures or blends thereof.
5. The cementitious reinforcing fiber of claim 1 , wherein the pulp fiber has a length from about 0.5 to about 1.0 mm.
6. The cementitious reinforcing fiber of claim 1 , wherein the synthetic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and mixtures or blends thereof.
7. A fiber reinforced cementitious material, comprising:
a cementitious material; and
an extruded, composite reinforcing fiber, comprising:
a substantially uniform mixture, comprising:
a resin comprising synthetic polymer; and
a master batch, comprising:
a water-soluble resin; and
a fiber blend, comprising:
pulp fiber; and
nano-fiber,
wherein the extruded, composite reinforcing fiber is distributed in the cementitious material.
8. The cementitious reinforcing fiber of claim 1 , wherein the master batch is in a pellet form.
9. A dry blend, fiber reinforced, cementitious composition, comprising:
a cementitious material;
a master batch, comprising:
a water-soluble resin; and
reinforcement fiber compounded in the water-soluble resin, the reinforcement fiber selected from the group consisting of pulp fiber, nano-fiber, and blends thereof.
10. The dry blend, fiber reinforced, cementitious composition of claim 9 , wherein the master batch is in a pellet form.