Selecting Fibers for UHPC: How to Choose Between Metallic and Non-Metallic Fibers — A Comprehensive Analysis of Performance, Cost, and Application Scenarios

In the material system of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), fibers, as the core reinforcing component, directly affect structural performance, engineering cost, and adaptability to application scenarios. The choice between metallic and non-metallic fibers requires comprehensive evaluation from multiple dimensions such as material properties, economic investment, and project requirements. As an industry leader with 28 years of experience in the detailed design, production, and manufacturing of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group will provide scientific fiber selection solutions for designers and owners based on its full-chain service practice.

Metallic fibers, represented by steel fibers, with their high elastic modulus (approximately 200 GPa) and excellent interfacial bonding performance, perform outstandingly in improving the flexural strength (up to over 20 MPa) and toughness of UHPC. They show significant advantages in scenarios with stringent requirements for tensile and impact resistance, such as bridge structures and heavy-load floors. For example, in the renovation project of Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road, Qinglong Group adopted steel fiber-reinforced UHPC translucent components, achieving a dual breakthrough in structural load-bearing capacity and translucent aesthetics. However, metallic fibers have limitations such as high density (7.8 g/cm³), susceptibility to rust, and relatively high cost (approximately RMB 20-30/kg), and they tend to be unevenly distributed in thin-walled components, requiring professional mixing processes to ensure performance stability.

Non-metallic fibers mainly include glass fibers, carbon fibers, and basalt fibers, each with its own technical characteristics. Glass fibers have a relatively low cost (approximately RMB 8-15/kg) and good corrosion resistance, making them suitable for UHPC decorative components in humid or coastal environments. For instance, in the exterior wall cladding panel project of a coastal commercial complex in Malaysia undertaken by Qinglong Group, alkali-resistant glass fiber-reinforced UHPC was used, balancing design freedom and durability. Carbon fibers, despite their excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength up to 3000 MPa), are mostly used in special fields such as aerospace and nuclear power due to their high cost (approximately RMB 150-200/kg); basalt fibers strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and high-temperature resistance, becoming a new choice for lightweight UHPC components in recent years.

Selection decisions should follow three major principles: first, the principle of performance matching—municipal engineering should give priority to the structural safety of metallic fibers, while architectural decorative components can focus on the design and cost advantages of non-metallic fibers; second, the principle of full life-cycle cost—the initial investment in metallic fibers should be evaluated together with subsequent maintenance costs, and choosing glass fibers for coastal projects can reduce anti-corrosion costs; finally, the principle of process adaptability—complex curved components are best made with chopped glass fibers, while large-span structures require steel fibers to ensure flowability during construction. As a national-level high-tech enterprise, Qinglong Group, through its intelligent manufacturing system with an annual capacity of 600,000 square meters, can achieve precise proportioning of different fiber types and optimization of forming processes. For example, in the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project, a steel-glass hybrid fiber reinforcement technology was adopted, meeting structural requirements while controlling project costs.

The industry is currently showing a development trend toward "hybrid fiber systems," achieving performance complementarity and cost optimization through the synergy of metallic and non-metallic fibers. The industry standard "General Technical Conditions for Non-Load-Bearing Components of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)", which Qinglong Group participated in formulating, has incorporated fiber selection guidelines into the specification system, providing technical reference for the industry. In the future, as UHPC expands into fields such as green buildings and the renovation of existing buildings, the innovative application of fiber materials will become the key to enhancing product competitiveness. For more industry information: add us on WeChat at qlfsbl123

As a UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP custom material manufacturer, Qinglong Group has always upheld the mission of "creating aesthetically beautiful architecture." Relying on 28 years of full-chain service experience, we provide customers with integrated solutions from material selection to construction and maintenance. Whether for structural components of landmark buildings or artistic decorations of cultural venues, we can scientifically match fiber types according to project characteristics, finding the optimal balance among performance, cost, and aesthetics, and helping to realize the vision of "becoming a world-class leading UHPC manufacturing enterprise."