PP Fiber vs Polyethylene & PVA Fibers – When to Use Each
- Jason
- Nov 25
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Suitable for architectural engineers, structural engineers, flooring contractors, precast component manufacturers, and technicians.
Synthetic fibers are widely used to enhance crack resistance, durability, and post-crack performance in concrete and mortar. Among these, polypropylene (PP) fibers, polyethylene (PE) fibers, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers are the most common choices, each offering unique advantages depending on the engineering requirements.
This article compares these three fiber types using engineering criteria—material properties, crack control, bonding behavior, specialty applications, and cost.
Material Properties Comparison
Material composition determines how each fiber interacts with concrete, including bonding, stiffness, and dispersion.
PP Fiber (Polypropylene Fiber)
Density: 0.91 g/cm³ (very lightweight)
Modulus: Low (3–10 GPa)
Bonding: Mechanical only
Chemical resistance: Excellent (alkali + acid resistant)
Melting point: ~160°C
Color: White or natural
Key advantages:
✔ Best for plastic shrinkage control
✔ Highly durable & non-corrosive
✔ Cost-effective
✔ Easy dispersion
Polyethylene Fiber
Density: 0.96 g/cm³
Modulus: Medium to high (10–20+ GPa)
Bonding: Limited (smooth surface)
Chemical resistance: Very high
Melting point: ~130°C
Key advantages:
✔ Higher toughness than PP
✔ Better flexibility
✔ Good fatigue resistance
PVA Fiber (Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber)
Density: 1.3 g/cm³
Modulus: Very high (20–40 GPa)
Bonding: Chemical bonding with cement hydration products
Water absorption: High
Color: White
Key advantages:
✔ Very strong chemical bond
✔ Excellent for microcrack control
✔ Essential for UHPC & engineered cementitious composites (ECC)
Crack Control Performance
Crack control behavior varies significantly due to bonding mechanisms and fiber stiffness.
PP Fiber — Best for Plastic Shrinkage
PP fibers reduce cracks by:
forming a 3D network
blocking early-age microcracks
reducing settlement cracking
Ideal for:
slabs-on-ground
overlays
general-purpose concrete
Polyethylene Fiber — High Toughness & Energy Absorption
PE fibers deliver:
strong post-crack ductility
excellent impact resistance
reduced spalling and fragmentation
Ideal for:
industrial floors
shotcrete
slabs requiring toughness
PVA Fiber — Best for Microcrack Control & High Bond Strength
Due to chemical bonding, PVA fibers:
hold cracks tightly together
create many fine microcracks (strain hardening)
significantly increase tensile ductility
Ideal for:
ECC
repair mortars
waterproofing mortars
Specialty Applications (PVA High Bonding)
PVA fibers distinguish themselves due to their chemical affinity with cement hydration products, enabling fibers to bridge microcracks as small as 10–50 μm.
Best-use cases:
UHPC and ECC requiring tensile strain > 2%
High-bond repair mortars
Waterproofing materials
High-performance engineered cement
Fire-resistant mortars
This makes PVA fibers indispensable for applications demanding extremely fine crack control.
Cost & Availability
PP Fiber
Most affordable
Globally available
Low production cost
👉 Best performance-to-price ratio.
Polyethylene Fiber
Moderate cost
Less widely available than PP
👉 Used where toughness is more critical.
PVA Fiber
Highest cost (2–5× PP fiber)
Production concentrated in few countries
👉 Typically used only when chemical bonding is required.
Conclusion
Each fiber type has a clear engineering purpose:
Fiber Type | Best For |
PP Fiber | Plastic shrinkage control, durability, cost efficiency |
PE Fiber | High toughness, impact resistance, FRC slabs & shotcrete |
PVA Fiber | UHPC, ECC, microcrack control, high bonding mortars |
For contractors, engineers, and precast manufacturers, selecting the right fiber ensures performance and cost-effectiveness for each concrete application.
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