Drawing steel fibres from bundles

[big24]

Hi,

Can someone help me with this?

I am researching on fibrous concrete using steel fibres from recycled tyre. However, the steel fibes I am supplied with, are bundled in a chunk like a steel wool. (Not woven, but not seperate neither). I need to draw this chunk into separate steel fibres so that they do not ball in the mixer. Is there a mecchanical way how I can do this?

tks

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Hire a bunch of elves??

Check w/ your supplier of the fiber - maybe they know or tell them you want in "bulk" pourable fashion.

 

[Ron]

Bulk fibers can be separated on a vibrating plate prior to dispensing in the mix. If they are "clumped" as sent, they will likely "clump" again. This typically means that the aspect ratio of the individual fibers is not good.

Check with the manufacturer, as MikeTheEngineer noted.

 

[big24]

hi all,

tks for your help

yeah ron, i acknowledge that the aspect ratio is optimal but the point is that I am not trying to reinvent fibrous concrete but to find a suitable use for recyled tyre fibres and check the possible use in the concrete industry. So unforntunately I have to try and do the most with what I have.

as for vibrating the material, I think it is a good idea. I will try to carry out some tests in the forthcoming days.

 

[big24]

Any more ideas please?

 

[bimr]

Have you contacted PCA? They may be able to assist you:

http://www.cement.org/tech/cct_tech_support.asp