Fibers and fiber reinforced matrix materials

Abstract

Fiber reinforced matrix materials, wherein the fiber is of balanced tensile to ductile properties, and the molecular orientation of the fiber is substantially similar to the molecular orientation of a fiber precursor from which the fiber is formed; and wherein the fiber comprises a flattened shank having first and second terminal ends, wherein the first terminal end comprises a first nodule, and the second terminal end comprises a second nodule; and wherein a cross sectional area of the flattened shank is less than a cross sectional area of the first nodule, and wherein the cross sectional area of the flattened shank is less than a cross sectional area of the second nodule; and wherein the first nodule and second nodule retain the approximate diameter of a precursor material from which the fiber is formed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . Matrix material containing a plurality of reinforcement fibers; wherein each of the fibers comprises a flattened shank having first and second terminal ends, wherein the first terminal end comprises a first nodule, and the second terminal end comprises a second nodule; and wherein the cross sectional area of the flattened shank is less than a cross sectional area of the second nodule; and wherein the molecular orientation of the fiber is substantially similar to the molecular orientation of a fiber precursor from which the fiber is formed. 
     
     
         2 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross sectional area of the flattened shank of the fibers is less than a cross sectional area of the first nodule, and wherein the cross sectional area of the flattened shank of the fibers is less than a cross sectional area of the second nodule. 
     
     
         3 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second nodules of the fibers comprise a prolate spheroidal nodule. 
     
     
         4 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the flattened shank of the fibers comprises a straight shaft of balanced tensile to ductile properties. 
     
     
         5 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein fibers comprise bone shaped fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibers are formed from the group of materials comprising plastic monofilament, polymer monofilament, copolymer monofilament, plastic fiber, polyolefin, long molecular chain polymers, and metal wire. 
     
     
         7 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibers are formed from long molecular chain polymers. 
     
     
         8 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the first nodules and second nodules of the fibers retain the approximate diameter of a precursor material from which the fiber is formed. 
     
     
         9 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the fibers comprises a first fillet sections, which first fillet section comprises a transition from the flattened shank to the first nodule, and a second fillet section, which second fillet section comprises a transition from the flattened shank to the second nodule. 
     
     
         10 . The matrix material according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second fillet sections each comprise a section of the fiber which decreases in width and increases in depth as each filet section approaches its respective nodule. 
     
     
         11 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second terminal ends of the fibers comprise chisel shaped terminal ends. 
     
     
         12 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material is selected from the group comprising Concrete, ready-mix concrete, shotcrete, bituminous concrete, gypsum, portland cement, hydrated cementitious compositions, asphalt, rubber, composites and plastics. 
     
     
         13 . The matrix material according to  claim 12 , wherein the matrix material is concrete. 
     
     
         14 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the flattened shanks of the fibers each have a length of less than about 50 millimeters. 
     
     
         15 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the flattened shank of the fibers are adapted to have reduced adhesion to the matrix material. 
     
     
         16 . The matrix material according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise highly oriented long molecular chain polymer or copolymer. 
     
     
         17 . A fiber for reinforcing matrix materials, wherein the fiber is of balanced tensile to ductile properties, and the molecular orientation of the fiber is substantially similar to the molecular orientation of a fiber precursor from which the fiber is formed; and wherein the fiber comprises a flattened shank having first and second terminal ends, wherein the first terminal end comprises a first nodule, and the second terminal end comprises a second nodule; and wherein a cross sectional area of the flattened shank is less than a cross sectional area of the first nodule, and wherein the cross sectional area of the flattened shank is less than a cross sectional area of the second nodule; and wherein and wherein the first nodule and second nodule retain the approximate diameter of a precursor material from which the fiber is formed. 
     
     
         18 . The fiber according to  claim 17 , wherein the fiber comprises a bone shaped fiber. 
     
     
         19 . The fiber according to  claim 17 , wherein the fiber comprises a first fillet section, which first fillet section comprises a transition from the flattened shank to the first nodule, and a second fillet section, which second fillet section comprises a transition from the flattened shank to the second nodule; and wherein the first and second fillet sections each comprise a section of the fiber which decreases in width and increases in depth as each filet section approaches its respective nodule. 
     
     
         20 . The fiber according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second nodules comprise a prolate spheroidal nodule.