Adding fibres to latex

Discussion in 'Subfloor Preparation' started by Neilydun, Feb 7, 2014.

  1. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone add fibres to there latex ?
    We recently did a job, to an Uzin spec, which involved adding the fibres yourself.
    I`m sure this could be added to any screed, so i`m gonna give it a go. Anyone else tried it ?
     
  2. coolevilangel

    coolevilangel Well-Known Member

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    where do you get the fibres from?
     
  3. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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    Good question.
    On the last install, we had to fix 1m wide webbing, then added Uzin fibres to the latex.
    The webbing is about £150 from Uzin, but I think I have found the same product for less than £50.
    I have found some fibres here http://www.randjbuildershardware.co.uk/adfil-fibrin-660f-box-of-14-x-1kg-bags.html
    which I might use.
    Might be a bit trial and error to get the mix right, but I rekon it will work.
     
  4. coolevilangel

    coolevilangel Well-Known Member

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    i remember somewhere, either at amtico or on here that the fibres had to be a certain length to be effective?
    Ive been in a few new builds where the concrete floor with exposed fibres looks like a hedgehog!
    absolute pain in the ar$e to screed over unless you chopped all the exposed fibres hanging out.
     
  5. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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    Yep ive had that myself. I just run a machine over them normally.
    I still have a pack of the Uzin fibre, so will have a look, and see what length they are.
    Will also check the cost of the fibre from Uzin, but I expect they will be expensive.
     
  6. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    What are you using the screed on when you've added the fibres ?
     
  7. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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    Over an old slab. It had 20mm asphalt on it previously, but thats been removed now.
    It revealed some nasty cracks, of which we removed 150 lin this week, and screeded to 75mm deep x 300mm wide.
    We have not removed them all, just the worst ones. Now im going to stick 500mm wide webbing, and fibre screed over those areas for added strength.
     
  8. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Sounds like a lot of work mate !

    What latex you planning on using I'm think something with not to high compression strength ?
     
  9. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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    Level it 2. Use a lot of it, and rate it.
     
  10. Matt

    Matt Well-Known Member Staff Member

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    before fibre compounds came out we simply added fibres.

    The first (i think it was uzin) used to supply compound and a bag of fibres to mix in. Problem was people was not mixing the fibres in right so for the U.K market they started to mix fibres in for us. Think it was Uzin 175 that was the first one with the fibres pre mixed? There was also a couple of other companys who used to supply separate fibres. Could of been Stauff maybe? Cant remember as many years ago before Fibre screeds really hit the U.K market.

    So basically , its always been around, if anything we are going back in technology. Not that that is a issue.

    Ps the fibres link above look like the fibers you mix into concrete and not smoothing compounds. The ones for smoothing compounds are much finer. Get the apprentice on the scissors :D
     
  11. Spacey

    Spacey Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm getting a free tub of Stauff PS adhesive delivered on Tuesday lol
     
  12. pedro

    pedro Active Member

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    when i did my karndean L1 ..the guy told us about adding fibres to mixes,i think he said he bought some fibre glass and threw in a hand full.
     
  13. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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    Although it might be going backwards tech wise, I like the idea of being able to add strength to any screed you choose.
    The Uzin ones I used came pre measured in a pack, so just chuck them in and mix. I think you would have to try hard to get it wrong.
    Then there is the cost issue. I like 700 but think it`s way overpriced.
     
  14. Nk1

    Nk1 Well-Known Member

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    Same here. Can't remember where he said he bought the bags from. It wasn't builders merchants, camping/caravan place I seem to remember. He said he buys the cheap bags from them and just add them yourself to the mixes.
     
  15. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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  16. Neilydun

    Neilydun Well-Known Member

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    I had a bag of the Uzin ones left over. There 6mm
     

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