Carbon fibers reduce weight, add high strength to concrete.(POLYMERS/CERAMICS)

Advanced Materials & Processes, April, 2005

A carbon-fiber concrete-reinforcing grid that can reportedly provide up to seven times the tensile strength of steel reinforcement by weight has been manufactured by TechFab LLC, Anderson, S.C., of carbon fibers fabricated by Zoltek Companies Inc., St. Louis, Mo. The carbon fibers allow engineers to build structures of precast concrete that is just as strong as conventional steel-reinforced concrete, but weighs less than half as much and has higher corrosion resistance, durability, and insulation properties.

The carbon-fiber grid is called C-Grid, and the reinforced concrete is called CarbonCast. For more information: Kevin Schott, Zoltek Companies Inc., 3101 McKelvey Road, St. Louis, MO 63044; tel: 314/291-5110; Web site: www.zoltek.com. Circle 133