Carbon Fiber Recycling says recycled carbon fiber microfiber cuts concrete cracking

Carbon Fiber Recycling says its rCF Microfiber reduced plastic-shrinkage crack width in concrete at low dosages, with results that meet common specification thresholds. The company also says the product carries far lower embodied carbon than conventional polypropylene microfiber, which could give contractors a lower-carbon option for crack control.

Why it matters: - Carbon Fiber Recycling is positioning recycled carbon fiber as a concrete additive that can meet performance specs without the carbon footprint of conventional polypropylene microfiber. - The result could matter for contractors, ready-mix producers, and engineers trying to balance crack control, cost, and sustainability.

What happened: - Carbon Fiber Recycling announced test results for its rCF Microfiber in plastic-shrinkage crack control for concrete. - At 0.25 lb/yd³, the microfiber delivered a 42.4% average reduction in plastic-shrinkage crack width. - At 0.75 lb/yd³, the microfiber delivered a 75% average reduction. - Doug Griffin said the low dosage is enough to meet a specification, while higher dosages deliver stronger crack control.

The details: - CFR said the 0.25 lb/yd³ result exceeds the greater-than-40% threshold commonly required under ICC-ES AC32. - CFR said rCF Microfiber provides about 60 to 66 times lower embodied carbon per cubic yard than conventional polypropylene microfibers at equivalent dosages. - Griffin said contractors and ready-mix producers do not have to choose between performance and sustainability. - CFR said the full technical details, complete test data, and side-by-side comparison with polypropylene microfiber are available in its new Technical Bulletin. - The company posted the bulletin on its website under CFR – Technical Data, based on the release text's website reference.

Between the lines: - CFR is using the test data to broaden the appeal of recycled carbon fiber beyond composites and into concrete markets. - The messaging suggests the company wants to compete not just on sustainability, but on spec compliance and performance at low dosage rates.

What's next: - CFR is directing buyers and technical users to its Technical Bulletin for the full data set. - The company will likely lean on the crack-control results to support adoption in concrete applications that currently rely on polypropylene microfiber.

The bottom line: - Carbon Fiber Recycling is arguing that recycled carbon fiber can deliver specification-level crack control in concrete while sharply reducing embodied carbon.