substitute for fibre mesh in lightweight concrete pots
toaT
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hi
I am making small lightweight concrete objects (with alternate materials as aggregate – perlite, coir, sawdust)
tiles, planters, sculptures
Can I use recycled materials like strips of cloth or plastic netting as a substitute for fiber mesh. or suggestions?
Thanks!
Angela
Replies
Angela, the fiber is chopped up fiber in concrete. Something like bird mesh is a vinyl that “might” help. You might go to a mix plant and ask nicely for some of their fiber. Except for the “guidelines now, I’d take along some donuts.
Best of luck!
Thank you! I'll try that. might be the fastest.
you suggest bird mesh, do you mean the fine black mesh in hardware stores, about 3/4 inch squares? If so, could I use sweet pea mesh, a synthetic yarn?
Is it possible to use shredded burlap or shredded fibre from fabrics, of mixed materials?
nothing is load bearing, I just want to prevent cracks over time.
and thanks again,
Angela
There’s no comparison between fiber from a mix plant and natural fibers like yarn, string, even the thin vinyl netting.
We have a couple of bird baths that have some sort of fiber in them. Without busting them up, I can’t say if it’s the type from a mix plant. The bottom has a “not so finished” appearance. There appears to be some coarse fibers in it.
Styofoam beads I have seen used as the aggregate in some outdoor Items. This makes the pc. lighter in weight. I don’t know if it includes fibers of any kind.
I don’t know much craft science and so can’t advise you what to try. I suggest you experiment and test the results after the usual setting time for the concrete. Remember, cement based products including the vinyl patching compounds reach max strength through slow drying. Maybe wrap your pcs in burlap, old towels, carpet whatever.....and keep them moist for a week or two.
thanks!
“[Deleted]”
There's no end to YouTube viedos on how to make concrete pots using fabric and other materials.
your local masonry supply house should have fiber to add to a mix (and may be able to give you some advice on how to improve the mix) , you may find it in the big box stores.
there are also liquid additives to improve the strength of a mix to prevent cracking so that's something else to consider
other thought is how thick is the wall going to be, temperature changes and is the "container' going to be subjected to freezing (which will crack it)
good luck