They're giving cost numbers some places at $20 a yard. Skipping rebar should speed s build up some in some circumstances. Off the top of my head, a small job with a few yards could go a lot faster.

 

Sounds great but I'm not sure I trust the long term corrosion resistance. That zinc coating seems like it might rub off on the way to the job, and 1/32" of corrosion later and the whole thing's gone!

 

They have a 20 year history of use.

 

I'd be a lot more comfortable working with them in an inland environment, would not trust them in a salt air one.

 

Having conversed with a rep. regarding this product,here are some of the advantages of their product. Unlike conventional rebar that resists forces at or near the point of concrete cracking,the Helix supplies resistance at all times and in all dimensions . There is a reduction in pounds of steel ,however,unlike fiber mesh,the twist resists pullout much better. A good starting point of poundage is approx. 90 lbs. per 10 yds. of concrete.That will amount to approx. 100,000 strands per yd. of concrete. Initial costing is $ 3.00 per pound. The larger the purchase,the deeper the discounts. Also,because it is steel,unlike fiber mesh it does not float to surface making finishing a bigger chore and leaving a fuzzy surface. He said also,even if one would rust,it would not automatically provide a pathway for rust to attach the others as conventional rebar.

Having done considerable investigation of concrete admixtures,I would say the incorporation of a integral waterproofer added to the concrete along with the Helix would be the belt and suspenders approach.

 

Steel fibers work very well and if corrosion is of concern, stainless fibers can be specified. This is not new technology...we've been adding fibers to refractories, concrete and mortar for eons.

http://www.ssmesh.org/stainless-steel-wire-mesh/stainless-steel-fiber.html

 

That's a Chinese company. Helix is located in Mi. & Mn.:clap:


I will say this though,the stainless is attractive,:thumbsup:

 

Here is what I know of the time line revolving micro rebar (which probably is not much) I first became aware of it in March 2012. Helix claims they "created"and brought it to market in 2003. Knowing a tad about the Chinese,they are probably the worlds best copy cats,not so much the innovators.

Again,I do very much like the stainless version though. But this is possibly where the rub comes. Having attempted to purchase a few goods from china (solid block acrylic vials & plastic caps for grease fittings) the only way is if you want 50,000 To track down the volume needed for all but a humongous job would probably be a challange.

Heck,two of my local batch plants never even heard of micro rebar.


So S.S.,what do you know about sourcing relatively small volumes of the stainless variety. I know you have a good relation with a batch plant ?

 

This company is in my neck of the woods and has been doing stainless fibers since I was knee high to a grasshopper...http://www.fiberconfiber.com/

Other sources are out there as well.

The theory and development of this type product goes back to the 50's...surprised your mud men have never heard of it...

http://steelwooldirect.com/steel_fibers/

https://www.amazon.com/Metallic-Sta...r_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1521662694&sr=1-8&keywords=stainless+fibers+for+concrete