Patent Publication Number: US-2009226693-A1

Title: Concrete Fiber Material, Castable Constructs Including Same, And Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/750,864, filed Dec. 16, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a synthetic reinforcement fibrous material for cementitious mixtures, and more specifically relates to a synthetic fibrous material useful for improving both pre-cure and post-cure properties of cementitious materials. The present invention is particularly useful simultaneously for shrinkage crack reduction and as a secondary reinforcement material, wherein individual fibrous units separated from the initial fibrous material exhibit a combination of: a) integrated surface anchors for improved capillary conduction and cementitious intercalation; b) low flexural modulus for a more uniform distribution throughout a cementitious mixture and enhanced finishing capabilities; and c) tensile properties allowing for effective post-crack bridging. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many proposals have been made to reinforce, strengthen, or otherwise beneficially alter the properties of cementitious mixtures by applying and/or incorporating various types of components, including asbestos, glass, steel, and synthetic polymer fibers, to aqueous based concrete mixes prior to the placement and curing of the concrete. The types of synthetic polymer fibers in use or proposed for use include those composed of natural and synthetic composition. Exemplarly reinforcement fibers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,071,613, 6,197,423, 6,265,056, and 6,503,625, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Two forms of fibers currently used in producing concrete reinforcement from synthetic polymeric resins include those individual types directed to crack reduction from elastic shrinkage (i.e., pre-cure) and other individual types targeting secondary reinforcement for structural performance (i.e., post-cure). Crack reduction is obtained by using “simple” fibers, wherein the performance of reducing cracks is inherent to most any non-reactive, alkaline resistant fiber used in the mixture. Secondary structural reinforcement is obtained in a synthetic substrate through materials having performance attributes above those required in a simple crack reduction product. 
     All concrete or other cementitious materials undergo volumetric changes after placement. This volume change is caused by the loss of the significant water fraction from the cementitious mix during curing. Water is lost from the concrete due to evaporative effects and/or drainage or capillary action into subsoil beneath the concrete. A reasonable estimate of the percent of initial water fraction loss to the environment within the first twenty four hours is 80%. This fraction loss over time can be significantly impacted by environmental effectors, such as humidity, ambient temperature, wind velocity, and/or subsoil conditions. During the process of the placed concrete losing the water fraction and becoming solid in nature, tensile stress is imparted upon and within the forming cementitious construct. Additional tensile stresses are imparted by release of thermal energy by the curing concrete and by settlement of the forming structure. At any such point that the tensile stress exceeds the early and momentary tensile strength of the newly formed concrete or other cementitious construct, microscopic shrinkage cracks are induced. Shrinkage crack reduction fibers are targeted to bridging these micro-cracks, and as such are typically further divided into two sub-classifications; plastic shrinkage and drying shrinkage, wherein the differentiation is made as to whether the shrinkage occur pre- and post-initial concrete set, respectively. This initial concrete set typically occurs within the first four hours after placement of the concrete or other cementitious material, and initial cure within twenty-four hours, although this time may vary depending on materials and curing conditions. 
     Contrary to pre-cure performance fiber types, structural types of macro fibers should exhibit a suitable tensile strength sufficient to “bridge” a forming crack at a macro-level and retain overall performance of the concrete construct despite the loss of tensile strength resultant from the cement/aggregate/sand matrix alone in a cured cementitious mixture. When an external force, whether constant or instantaneous, is applied to a cast and cured cementitious construct, the matrix of the construct is incapable of withstanding the imparted load, and the matrix itself begins to fail through propagation of cracks throughout the structure. Cementitious constructs comprising secondary reinforcing fiber exhibit higher performance under an increasing level of structural stress and strain before and during the failure of the matrix. Ideally, the secondary reinforcing fibers act to bridge these cracks, and the construct is able to maintain a functional integrity. As the strain increases yet further, one of two general results tend to occur. Either the reinforcing fiber begins to lose its interfacial bonding to the matrix, and begins slipping, which will result in decreasing strength of the construct or the fiber tensile strength is exceeded and breaks in the region of the expanding crack, which will also results in decreasing strength of the construct. 
     Existing secondary reinforcement fibers, and particularly evident in prior art macro fibers such as glass and steel fibers, exhibit very high resistance to deflection in at least one physical dimension. For example, rigid drawn steel fibers, which may have bent ends, have been used to reinforce concrete. Also, rigid crenulated steel fibers have been used. Resistance to deflection of the secondary reinforcement fiber from a resting state, measured as Young&#39;s modulus, results in numerous issues in handling and resulting performance, such as difficulty loading into form structures, resistance to deflection during aesthetic finishing of the concrete construct, and induced heterogeneity in the forming matrix as the fibers themselves hinder or otherwise impede uniform distribution of, particularly, the aggregate components. Also, rigid reinforcing fibers, such as steel fibers or the like, tend to displace aggregate within the cementitious mix, which undesirably tends to lead to a non-uniform concrete construct or matrix. 
     Fibers resistant to deflection tend to nest while in a packaged state and at constriction points and bends in forms during the feeding process into the cementitious mix as well as impingement of pre-cured, free flow cementitious mix upon primary reinforcement structures (i.e. rebar) and flow constrains in molds or forms. Consequently, fibers resistant to deflection tend to nest or bridge at necking points or tight regions of primary reinforcement to hinder proper and complete filling of a concrete mold or former. This leads to non-uniform distribution of the fibers in the cementitious forms. Specific to distribution of secondary reinforcement fiber in molds and forms, such aforementioned fibers are generally found to poorly conform to bends in forms or molds of greater than, e.g., approximately 45 degrees, and have the potential to exhibit near zero distribution past bends of greater than 90 degrees without significant adaptations being made to the form to allow for these hindrances. Further, such fibers resistant to deflection render cementitious constructs difficult to finish on the open faces. Often, either enhanced finishing techniques or burnishing or active thermal degradation is necessary to remove reinforcing fiber extending beyond the surface of the concrete. 
     Moreover, steel fibers are susceptible to corrosion in the alkaline environment of concrete, and such corrosion can lead to loss of reinforcement strength and internal structural voids at the corroded sites. Rigid steel fibers also have finishability issues, as exposed fiber ends exposed from of the concrete surface must removed by grinding, and the like. Glass fibers, in addition to causing finishing problems, also tend to degrade over time. 
     Polypropylene monofilament fibers have been used for reinforcing concrete, and such monofilament fibers are more flexible, less resistant to deflection, and provide improved finishability. However, these fibers have low tensile strength, and their smooth surfaces do not offer sufficient anchoring capability, and consequently do not provide secondary reinforcement after cure. Synthetic crenulated filaments also have been used which offer more flexure than steel or glass, but during casting these filaments can nest due to conformability limitations and also finishing issues remain as exposed ends of the fibers need to be ground or burned off. Drawn homogenous synthetic tapes have also been used to reinforce concrete, which offer improved flexibility and precast conformability and finishability over steel fibers and crenulated synthetic fibers; however, these tapes do not tend to offer the ability to effectively reduce or limit micro-crack formation and propagation in pre-cured cementitious constructs. 
     Additionally, synthetic net-like fibrillated materials or fibrillated yarns made by mechanical slitting or air jet techniques, etc., have been described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,273,771, 3,494,522, 3,470,285, 3,470,685, and 4,123,490. For purposes of these conventional fibrillated materials, “fibrillated” generally refers to mechanical processing of a tape to induce slits into the tape. These synthetic netting materials can provide more post-cure strength as compared to monofilament fibers, but do not finish well due to their tape-like manufacturing means. They tend to have a flexural rigidity problem in that when trowelled, bent free tape ends tend to spring back and extend away from the concrete surface. Prior fibrillated nets and yarns also have tended to have fibrils attached between adjoining stem members in a relatively fragile, non-durable manner such that the fibrils tended to detach and then did not contribute to in situ post-cure performance. 
     Concrete fibers having frayed ends have been disclosed, which are formed in situ by wet mixing sheath-core bicomponent fibers with concrete mix for a monitored amount of time, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,825. However, the anchoring ability of these fibers is limited to the frayed ends. The smooth sides of these fibers tend to have limited or no anchoring ability in the cementitious materials. Microfibrillated filaments also have been disclosed which are formed in situ from wet mixing non-twisted plastic ribbons in concrete mix, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,030. Such filaments are made from flat ribbons that have been mechanically fibrillated and spread out by air jet means prior to introduction into a mixing operation, where additional fiber shredding is indicated to occur. Therefore, the fibrillation of these filaments requires numerous manufacturing steps, and through the mechanism of operation, the resulting fibrillated products will tend to have less reproducibility due to the inherent variability of the components used in the cementitous construct. 
     The cementitious reinforcement materials of the prior art have generally focused on a singular performance level within an individual fiber, with compound performance in concrete being addressed, e.g., through blending of different types of singular performance fibers, which has the disadvantage that a uniform cementitious mix becomes difficult to provide and maintain, and, in particular, tends to result in a non-uniform distribution of the fibers in the cured concrete. 
     A need exists for a concrete reinforcement fiber or fibrous material that is a ready-to-use reinforcement structure that can improve both pre-cure and post-cure properties of cementitious materials that are reinforced with it, such as by exhibiting effective anchoring and bridging of cracks (both micro and macro) in concrete, conformability to the cementitious matrix itself, sufficient finishability, and the ability to uniformly disperse in a homogenous state and maintain this state through the concrete or other cementitious material curing timeline. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a ready-to-use, multimodal synthetic reinforcement fibrous material useful as both a shrinkage crack reduction and as a secondary reinforcement material in cementitious materials. The synthetic fibrous material comprises a plurality of individual fibrous units that release from the source material under low shear stresses and disperse evenly within and conform to a cementitious mixture, inhibiting the propagation of microcracks, and imparting flexural toughness throughout. The fibrous material exhibits a low Young&#39;s modulus such that its released fibrous units have a more uniform three-dimensional distribution throughout a cementitious mixture, tensile properties that allow for effective management of macro-level crack formation, and combined capillary conduction of the water fraction with effective management of micro-level crack propagation. The synthetic released fibrous units particularly provide improved conformability within cementitious forms, especially within forms comprising bends, such as those equal to or greater than about 45 degrees, such that the reinforcing fiber does not nest in bends or constrictions defined by forms or molds. The released fibrous units also do not displace aggregate within the cementitious mix, ensuring a more uniformly dispersed concrete matrix. The released fibrous units also increase spalling resistance (e.g., shatter resistance) and abrasion resistance, improving the reinforced concrete&#39;s long-term durability and integrity. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a synthetic reinforcement fibrous material comprises a plurality of parallel-extending spaced-apart main filament elements interconnected by intervening integral webbing material, wherein individual fibrous units are separable from the reinforcement fibrous material during mixing of the fibrous material and a curable cementitious material. The individual fibrous units each comprise a main filament element having opposite sides, and a plurality of integral fibrous subunits laterally extending from the main filament element at a random frequency along the opposite sides thereof, and the subunits have random respective lengths and diameters. These fibrous units disperse and conform well within cementitious materials within which they are released during concrete mixing and casting. 
     In a particular embodiment, the reinforcement fibrous material, and hence each separable individual fiber unit releasable therefrom, are formed of a homogeneous polymeric blend that has been formed into a structure comprising two primary structural elements. The first element is a main filament element or “trunk” and the second element comprises subunits or roots that are integrally formed and laterally extend from opposites sides of the trunk. The main filament element extends essentially the entire length of the overall fibrous unit and comprises a cross-sectional area that predominates the overall cross sectional area of the entire fiber construct or unit. The plurality of subunits or roots are arrayed adjacent and randomly spaced-apart from one another along the length of each opposite lateral side of the main filament element. These subunits exhibit proximal and distal regions relative to the fiber main filament element. The proximal region is where the subunit originates from and is integrally anchored to the fiber main filament element, and the distal region is the opposite free end of the subunit member. An individual subunit laterally extends away from the main filament element at an angle of between 1 and 90 degrees, particularly between about 45 and about 90 degrees, from the origination point at the main filament element relative to the longitudinal dimension of the overall synthetic fiber unit of the present invention. The main filament element may have a staple fiber length of about 6 to about 80 mm, and particularly about 18 to about 40 mm. The individual subunits may have a length averaging about 10 microns or more, up to and including the total staple length of the overall fiber, as measured via magnified view between the proximal region to the distal region thereof, and the subunit lengths preferably range from about 50 microns to about 500 microns. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement fibrous material, and hence the separable synthetic fibrous units thereof, comprise a multi-polymer blend. In embodiments suited for high strength applications of the fibrous material in concrete, the multi-polymer blend preferably comprises refractional melt polymer in an amount of between about 0.05% to about 40% by weight, about 50% to about 98% by weight synthetic homopolymer(s) having a substantially lower melt flow rate than the refractional melt polymer, and about 1% to about 10% by weight softening polymer. In a particular embodiment, the synthetic fiber unit is formed of a multi-polymer blend comprising about 0.05% to about 40% by weight refractional melt polypropylene polymer, about 50% to about 98% by weight synthetic polypropylene homopolymer having a substantially lower melt flow rate than the refractional melt polymer and/or other synthetic resins that can form a compatible blend or alloy with the refractional melt polymer, about 1% to about 10% by weight of linear polyethylene, and 0 to about 10% plastic additives (e.g., conventional ones). The refractional melt polymer content in the fibrous material imparts increased polymer crystallinity, which has been discovered to provide subunits having subunit roots that are more durably-attached to the main filament element during wet concrete mixing, etc. In concrete applications where lower tensile strength fibrous reinforcement is acceptable, the resin composition may comprise a major amount of synthetic homopolymer(s) and a minor amount of linear polyethylene, and the refractional melt polymer may be omitted. 
     In one embodiment, the main filament element has a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, and the subunits have substantially uniform cross-sectional diameters along their length from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. In one embodiment, at any point taken along the length of the inventive fibrous unit, the cross-sectional area of the main filament element represents between 75 to 99.9%, and preferably between of 85 to 98%, and most preferably between 95 to 98% of the overall cross-sectional area of the fibrous unit at that location, and the cross-sectional area of the subunits present at that location along the fibrous unit constitute the remainder (e.g., 0.1 to 25%, etc.) of the overall cross-sectional area of the fibrous unit. For the purposes of conformability to the matrix and finishability, the cross sectional geometric profile of the main filament element of the separable fibrous unit is preferably within the ratio range of 1 to 3 in terms of a measure taken from the longer of two perpendicular lines that transect a central point within the profile divided by the shorter of the two perpendicular lines. More preferably, this comparison of width and height is in the ratio range of 1 to 2 and most preferably in the ratio range of 1 to 1.5. In a further embodiment, the above-mentioned synthetic fibrous unit has a thickness of between 1.0 and 3.5 ml, and a preferred range of 1.25 to 3.0 mil. Further, the cross sectional profile of the main filament element may approximately define rectangular, polygonal, oval, and circular geometries, wherein this list also may represent their respective order of preference with rectangular being most preferred. Other symmetric or asymmetric geometries also may be used. 
     The separable synthetic fibrous material of the present invention has adequate structural integrity and strength such that the majority if not essentially all the subunits of an individual separable fiber sub-unit remain connected to the trunk portion of the fiber during wet concrete or other cementitious material mixing. 
     As other embodiments, improved hydratable cementitious compositions and fiber-reinforced concrete building products incorporating the reinforcement fibrous material in accordance herewith are also provided. Although not limited thereto, applications of the fiber-reinforced hydratable cementitious compositions include, e.g. precast products, backing boards, stuccos, mastics, mortars, thin sets, cast in place pieces, and concrete slab construction. In particular, these applications include, e.g., formed or molded concrete shapes, industrial and warehouse floors, commercial slab construction, concrete pavement, white topping and overlays, and so forth. A cementitious mix reinforced with the inventive reinforcement fibrous units flows well within the casting forms. Use of the reinforcing fiber according to embodiments herein also can reduce or eliminate the need for welded wire fabric, conventional light gauge steel reinforcement and steel fiber in concrete mixes. Handling and transportation stresses are beneficially reduced and improved green strengths are obtained, thus permitting earlier stripping of forms, and closer tolerances to precast forms are provided. Effective settlement control and good finishability is additionally imparted, and production time and overall material costs may be reduced using reinforcing fiber according to embodiments herein. 
     The above-mentioned synthetic reinforcement fibrous material preferably exhibits a Young&#39;s modulus at 30% elongation of less than 3.0 and 9.5 Gpa, and preferably in the range of between 3.0 and 8.5 Gpa, and most preferably between 3.0 and 5.0 Gpa. The synthetic fibrous reinforcement materials, and latently-releasable fibrous units, of the present invention are effective to improve both pre-cure and post-cure properties of cementitious materials such as concrete. In one embodiment, when utilized in a cementitious mix and processed in accordance with ASTM C94, the synthetic fibrous units provide a residual strength per ASTM C1399 of at least 80 psi at 3 lb per cubic yard loading at 8 days cure. Fiber reinforced concrete building products according to this invention exhibit a 20% increase in force to initiate crack per ASTM C1609. The fiber reinforced concrete building products also exhibit a crack reduction per ASTM C1579 of at least 50%. These aforementioned ASTM tests are incorporated herein by reference. 
     A method for making the reinforcement fibrous material possessing the separable synthetic fibrous units is also provided. The synthetic reinforcement fibrous material is a product that is produced by a unique manufacturing process providing an intact on-demand source of fibrous units, which is ready-for-use in wet or dry mixing of concrete ingredients. In one embodiment, the reinforcement fibrous material is made by a continuous or semi-continuous process that comprises extruding a striated ribbon from a thermoplastic composition comprising the above-mentioned blend of polymers, e.g., the blend of refractional melt polymer and other synthetic resin(s). The striated ribbon has a plurality of substantially uniformly, laterally spaced parallel ribs extending continuously and longitudinally of the ribbon. The adjacent pairs of ribs are interconnected by integral thermoplastic webs of reduced thickness as compared to the ribs. The striated ribbon can be formed, e.g., with a serrated extrusion die arrangement. The striated ribbon is slit into a plurality of smaller width ribbons. Then the slit ribbons are incrementally drawn or stretched, such as using Godet rolls, in a heated condition, at a high draw ratio, such as between 4.5:1 to 15:1. This drawing procedure encourages orientation and strength development in the ribbons, particularly with respect to ribbons containing refractional or highly isotactic polyolefin content. The ribs have sufficiently greater tensile strength such that they do not tear during drawing and retain their continuous integrity. The drawn striated ribbon may be immediately transversely cut into discrete fiber lengths by transversely cutting the ribbon, or otherwise collected in roll form for later cutting. The cut ribbon portions may be packaged for transport, handling, and use. For example, they may packaged in easy-to-use water-dispersible bags or the like that may be used on demand in cement mixing and pouring applications. The unitary fibrous material has the latent ability to release discrete individual fibrous units therefrom during cement mixing or under comparable shear conditions, such as mixing conditions according to ASTM C-94. The released individual fibrous units have the structural features described herein including the main fiber elements and the integral laterally extending subunits. The individual fibrous units are stable and sufficiently durable such that the integral subunits thereof do not significantly break away from the main filament elements during concrete mixing, pouring, and curing. 
     For purposes of this application, “Young&#39;s modulus” refers to a measure of the stiffness of a given material. It is defined as the limit, for small strains, of the rate of change of stress with strain. This can be determined, for example, from the slope of a stress-strain curve created during tensile tests conducted on a sample of the material. A “cementitious material(s)” refers to a material containing cement. “Concrete” is a cementitious material that comprises, in its most common form, although not exclusively, Portland cement, sand, construction aggregate, and water. A “refractional melt polymer” or “refractional polymer” refers to a resin having a melt flow rate of above 1, as measured by ASTM D1238, I 2  at 230° C. As used herein, the terms “highly isotactic” and “crystalline” may be defined, e.g., as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,806,316, which descriptions are incorporated herein by reference. In this regard, “highly isotactic” may be defined as having at least 60% isotactic pentads according to analysis by  13 C-NMR. “Crystalline” may be defined as having identifiable peak melting points above about 100° C. as determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC peak melting temperatures). “Multimodal” refers to a material having both pre-cure and post-cure performance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an enlarged plan view of a reinforcement fibrous material according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-section view of the reinforcing fibrous material of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a significantly enlarged plan view of an individual fibrous unit derived from a reinforcement fibrous material according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of an apparatus useful for practicing a process for making the reinforcement fibrous material according to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is portion of a serrated extrusion die for use in the apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of a fibrous unit according to  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view of a cementitious material containing fibrous units such as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     Features shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For instance, in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  6 , and  7 , the size of some features, such as fibrous subunits or branches connected to main filament elements of fibrous units, may be exaggerated to help identify their presence for purposes of the related descriptions provided herein. Elements in the drawings that are identified by the same number refer to similar features unless indicated otherwise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, a presently preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     Synthetic Reinforcement Fibrous Material. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a synthetic reinforcement fibrous material  1  according to an embodiment of the invention is shown comprising a plurality of substantially uniformly space-apart, longitudinally-extending main filament elements  2  and intervening integral webbing material  3 .  FIG. 2  is an enlarged sectional view of the fibrous reinforcement material  1 . In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement fibrous material  1  is formed of a homogeneous polymeric material that is extruded as a single layer of material. The reinforcement fibrous material is a unitary (single piece), discrete length ready-to-use component or element. Upon introduction into either wet or dry cementitious mixes, such as concrete, each introduced reinforcement fibrous material element is capable of releasing a large number of individual performing fibrous units described herein that disperse evenly and conform to the mix. 
     Separable Individual Performing Fibrous Unit. Referring to  FIG. 3 , a synthetic individual performing fibrous unit  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The individual performing fibrous unit  10  is formed of a synthetic polymer material that has been formed into a structure comprising two primary structural elements  11  and  12 . The first element is a main filament element or “trunk”  11  and the second element comprises subunits or “branches”  12  that are integrally attached to and laterally extend from opposites sides  13  and  14  of the trunk  11 . The main filament element  11  extends in a longitudinal direction  111  for a discrete length  15 . The subunits  12  generally extend away from the main filament element  11  towards the transverse or widthwise direction  112  that is oriented perpendicular to the fiber&#39;s longitudinal direction  111 . The plurality of subunits  12  are arrayed adjacent and spaced-part from one another along the length  15  of each opposite lateral side  13 ,  14  of the main filament element  11 . The subunits  12  are randomly spaced apart from one another along the length of the main filament element  11 . These subunits exhibit proximal and distal regions  16  and  17  relative to the main filament element  11 . The proximal region  16  is where the subunit  12  originates from and is integrally anchored to the fiber main filament element  11 , and the distal region  17  is the opposite free end of subunit  12 . An individual subunit  12  may randomly laterally extend away from the main filament element  11  at an angle alpha (α) anywhere between 1 and 90 degrees from the origination point at the main filament element  11  relative to the longitudinal dimension  15  of the overall synthetic fiber  10  of the present invention. Longer subunits may meander in different directions away from the main element  11 , such as indicated in  FIG. 3 . The main filament element  11  may have a staple fiber length  15  of about 6 to about 80 mm, and particularly about 25 to about 40 mm. Individual subunits  12  may have a length averaging about 10 microns or more, up to approximately the same value as the total staple length  15  of the overall fiber  10  between the proximal region  16  to the distal region  17  thereof. The subunit lengths preferably range from about 50 microns to about 80 mm, particularly about 500 microns to about 6 mm. Subunits  12  may have a diameter that is up to about 20% of that of the main filament element  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an individual fibrous unit  10  may include integral subunits  12  having a variety of different lengths and widths (e.g., short barbs  121 , fine long hairs  122 , etc), which are generally randomly connected at only one end to the remaining main filament element  11 . Fibrous units  10  are essentially free of, or completely free of, fraying at the opposite ends of main element  11 . Instead of frayed ends, fibrous units  10  of the present invention are based on a different approach. The random arrangement of subunits, in terms of locations along the main filament element  11  and subunit dimensions, provides reinforcing units that are less apt to behave similarly within a concrete mix. Subunits  12  have surface energies that are different, which tends to help keep them apart and promotes improved dispersion of the individual fibrous units within cementitious mixes. This separation and improves dispersion, reducing nesting or clustering problems with respect to the reinforcement fibrous material and released fibrous units thereof, including areas otherwise vulnerable to such problems such as in bends in a concrete form. Although not shown in  FIG. 3 , subunits may also have integral smaller fibrous splinters or sub-branches extending therefrom. 
     Resin Composition. In one embodiment, the synthetic fibrous material, and hence each of the fibrous units derived therefrom, is made with a resin composition comprising a combination of two or more different synthetic polymers, such as, for example, a physical mixture or resinous “alloy” of polyolefins. For instance, the synthetic resin composition of the reinforcement fiber may be a blend or alloy in whole or part of refractional melt polymer with other natural or synthetic polymers, such as polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, polyvinyls, polyacrylics, and blends or coextrusion products thereof. One or more of the synthetic polymers may be selected from homopolymers; copolymers, conjugates and other derivatives, including those thermoplastic polymers having incorporated melt additives or surface-active agents. In a particular embodiment, the synthetic fiber material is made exclusively or essentially exclusively with a polypropylene/polyethylene blend alone, or alternatively a polypropylene/polystyrene blend alone, and in the absence of additives or other forms of polymeric ingredients, as the resin composition that is processed as described herein. The polypropylene may be used as a single type or combined types of polypropylene. 
     In concrete slab or precast applications where higher tensile strength is desirable, the polypropylene preferably may comprise combined usage of a highly isotactic (crystalline) or refractional melt polypropylene homopolymer and a high molecular weight polypropylene homopolymer having a significantly lower melt flow rate as compared to the highly isotactic polypropylene homopolymer. In a preferred embodiment of such high tensile strength materials, the resin composition is a ternary multipolymer physical blend or combination of polymer components comprising (a) a highly isotactic polypropylene homopolymer, (b) high molecular weight polypropylene homopolymer of significantly or substantially lower melt flow rate than the first-mentioned type of polypropylene, and (c) high strength linear polyethylene. Component (b) in this preferred embodiment is typically a predominant or major component of the blend from the standpoint of its weight percentage of the overall resin composition, while components (a) and (c) are contained as minor components of the blend. The refractional melt polymer (a) tends to imparts improved strength and durability to the blend, and the linear polyethylene (c) tends to impart imparts softness. In a particular embodiment, the synthetic fibrous material is formed of a multi-polymer blend comprising (a) about 0.05% to about 40% by weight refractional melt polypropylene polymer, (b) about 50% to about 98% by weight synthetic polypropylene homopolymer having a substantially lower melt flow rate than the refractional melt polymer, (c) about 1% to about 10% by weight linear polyethylene, and (d) 0 to about 10% by weight plastic additives (e.g., conventional ones). Refractional melt polymer(s) in the fibrous material tends to impart increased polymer crystallinity, which has been discovered to provide subunits having subunit roots that are durably-attached to the main filament element of the fibrous unit during wet mixing, etc. 
     In a preferred embodiment, highly isotactic polypropylene homopolymer(s) useful in the present invention may have a melt flow rate of about 3.8 to about 4.2 g/10 min (ASTM D1238, I 2  at 230° C.), a density of about 0.89 to 0.91 g/cm 3 , and elongation at yield (ASTM D638, 50 mm/min) of about 8 to about 10%. The high molecular weight polypropylene homopolymer may have a melt flow rate of about 0.4 to about 0.6 g/10 min (ASTM D1238, I 2  at 230° C.), a density of about 0.89 to 0.91 g/cm 3 , and elongation at yield (ASTM D638, 50 mm/min) of about 8 to about 10%. Therefore, highly isotactic polypropylene resin (a) may be used in the resin composition which has a melt flow rate (ASTM D1238, 230° C.) that is about 6 to about 10 times higher (i.e. about 6× to about 10× higher), particularly, about 7 to about 9 times higher, than that of the polypropylene homopolymer resin (b). The high strength linear polyethylene may have a melt flow rate of about 0.9 to about 1.1 g/10 min (ASTM D1238, 190° C./2.16 kg), a density of about 0.91 to 0.93 g/cm 3 , and elongation at break (ASTM D882) of about 725% to about 775% (M.D.—machine direction) and about 975% to about 1000% (T.D.—transverse (cross) direction). The physical properties of the overall resin may be a specific gravity of about 0.91, an ignition point of about 590° C., a melt point of about 160° C., and has essentially no water absorption. These resin compositions have excellent alkali and chemical resistance in cementitious compositions. As one non-limiting resin composition, it contains about 16% by weight of the above-described highly isotactic refractional melt polypropylene, about 77.5% by weight of the high molecular weight polypropylene homopolymer, about 4% by weight of the high strength linear polyethylene, and about 2.5% by weight conventional plastic additives such as colorants, etc. Multipolymer blends such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,592,790 and 6,503,625, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, also may be suitable as the resin composition. 
     In concrete slab or precast applications where lower tensile strength fibrous reinforcement is acceptable and tolerable, the resin composition may comprise a major amount of synthetic polypropylene homopolymer(s) (b), and a minor amount of linear polyethylene (c), and the refractional melt polypropylene polymer (a) may be omitted or otherwise is present in an amount less than 0.05% refractional melt (e.g., 0 up to 0.05%). The amounts of the synthetic polypropylene homopolymer and linear polyethylene can be proportionally adjusted upward relative to the above-described formulations to account for the absence of the refractional melt polymer component in this embodiment. 
     For fiber formation, the resin composition, such as a polyolefin stock material (e.g., pellets, powders, etc.), is heated, mixed and extruded into a sheet or ribbon, e.g., a striated ribbon that is processed in the following manners to form fibers. 
     Reinforcement Fibrous Material Formation Process. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a process  40  of making the synthetic reinforcement fibrous material  1  is conducted as a continuous or semi-continuous procedure. Contrary to conventional fibrillation processes whereby a monolithic tape is cut from a formed film sheet and subjected to mechanical scoring by pin cans, the process for forming the reinforcement fibrous material  1  that embodies separable fibrous units  10  generally comprises extruding a polymer blend in the form of a striated ribbon as the extrudate from an extruder having a serrated extruder die, and then slitting the extrudate into a plurality of separate continuous ribbons of lesser width than the extrudate, which are incrementally oriented, transversely cut into discrete lengths, and then packaged. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , an apparatus  40  is shown for making and packaging synthetic reinforcement fibrous material  1  according to the present invention. The apparatus  40  extrudes a sheet of striated polymeric film  32 , which is quenched to provide striated ribbon  42 , which is longitudinally slit into a plurality of smaller width ribbons  52 , which are incrementally drawn to provide a plurality of longitudinally extending, oriented synthetic striated ribbons  1 . 
     The extruding apparatus  22  includes an appropriate feed hopper (not shown) which receives synthetic material, such as, for example, thermoplastic resin blends such as described herein, as well as recycled chopped edge trim of the same or similar production lines, which is melted and mixed therein. For high strength applications, the thermoplastic composition used to form the striated ribbon preferably comprises the above-described blend of refractional melt polypropylene, polypropylene homopolymer having a substantially lower melt flow rate than the refractional melt polymer, linear polyethylene, and optionally other synthetic resin(s) and conventional plastic additives. For applications where high strength reinforcement may not be required, e.g., concrete pedestrian walkways, a polymer blend may be used containing the polypropylene homopolymer and linear polyethylene, and optionally other synthetic resin(s) and conventional plastic additives. A screen element  36  may be provided in the extruding apparatus  22  for removing contaminates. The molten polymer is then presented at a low pressure to the inlet of a gear pump  38  where it passes to a static mixer  40  which serves to homogenize the polymer blend composition and provide a uniform melt temperature for the molten polymer. The molten polymer is then fed to a serrated extrusion die  24  where it is then extruded into a sheet  32 . The extruded sheet  32  then passes to a quench tank  44 , and/or through or around other cooling means (e.g., a chill roller), for quenching and setting the striated polymeric material  32  to thereby form a non-oriented striated sheet  42  of polymeric film. Preferably the ribbon extrusion step is accomplished with a serrated die operable to form the series of striations of alternating thinner and thicker thickness relative to the transverse (cross-wise) direction across the extruded ribbon. Serrated die arrangements for extruding plastic ribbons that can be readily adapted to form the striated ribbons are generally known in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,470,685 and 4,123,490, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The non-oriented striated sheet  42  is then taken away by a driven nip roll  48  and is passed through a conventional slitter mechanism  50  which serves to longitudinally slit the striated sheet  42  to various widths to provide a plurality of longitudinally extending ribbons or tapes  52  that are being concurrently conveyed through the system  40 . In a non-limiting illustration, the extruded striated sheet  42  may have a width of about 45 to about 60 inches (114 cm to 152 cm), and the non-oriented slit ribbons  52  that are formed may have individual thicknesses of about 8.0 mils to about 20 mils (0.0080 inch to 0.02 inch). At the slitter mechanism  50 , the striated sheet  42  also may be trimmed to eliminate longitudinal edge portions, which may tend to break or fracture during the subsequent orientation process, and the trimmed edges being continuously fed back to the extruding apparatus  22  for re-use. The series of non-oriented ribbons or tapes  52  are then oriented, such as by heating the ribbons  52  and stretching or drawing the heated ribbons  52 . This is accomplished, for example, by feeding the ribbons  52  between first and second Godets  54 ,  56  while passing the ribbons  52  through an intervening oven  58 . For the ternary polymeric blend materials containing refractional melt polymer content as described herein, the oven temperature may be approximately 450 to 500° F. (232 to 260° C.), depending upon the orientation speed. For other polymer blends described herein, the oven temperature may be approximately 250 to 350° F. (121 to 177° C.). The second Godet  56  is operated at from five to fifteen times the rate of the first Godet  54 , preferably from seven to twelve times the rate of the first Godet  54 , and more preferably from eight to ten times the rate of the first Godet  54 , so that the ribbons  52  are stretched or elongated to thereby produce oriented striated ribbons  1  which are oriented primarily along their longitudinal length. That is, the striated ribbon  52  may be subjected to a draw ratio of about 4.5:1 to 15:1, particularly about 7:1 to about 12:1, and more particularly about 8:1 to about 10:1. The ribbons  52  neck somewhat during the orientation treatment, but in a manner that does not remove or deform the striated geometry of the ribbon. Although two sets of Godet rolls are illustrated, the orientation step is not limited to that number. This incremental drawing operation is effective to provide an oriented fibrous reinforcing material  1 . As to other wherewithal features of the ribbon forming system, the ribbon forming systems such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,433,536, 3,494,522, 3,470,285, 3,470,685, and 4,123,490, which are incorporated herein by reference, may be adapted and modified as applicable for use in forming the striated oriented ribbon described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  again, at this juncture in the process, the striated ribbons  1  each has a plurality of substantially uniformly, laterally spaced parallel ribs  2  extending continuously and longitudinally of the ribbon. The adjacent pairs of ribs  2  are interconnected by integral thermoplastic webs  3  of reduced thickness as compared to the ribs. The relative thicknesses of the ribs  2  and webs  3  can be dictated by choice of the serrated die dimensions. As a non-limiting example, and referring to  FIG. 5 , the serrated die  50  may incorporate the following dimensions: 501=0.60 mm, 502=1.19 mm, 503=0.31 mm, and 504=0.76 mm. The extrusion orifices may be circular, triangular, or rectangular shaped, or have another shape corresponding to a desired rib shape to be formed in the extrudate. The width of the striated ribbons  1  that are formed and processed is not necessarily limited other than by practical considerations of scale of equipment and process layout. As one illustration, the oriented striated ribbon film  1  may have a width, for example, of about 12 mm to about 26 mm, although not limited thereto. Each oriented striated ribbon  1  may have about 20 to about 100 rib elements  2  per inch of ribbon width. The highly oriented ribbons  1  generally contain a pattern of incipient fracture lines along which the film can be induced to split spontaneously, such as for example by twisting, rubbing and/or stretching techniques associated with concrete shear forces, whereupon a plurality of individual discrete fibrous units  10  release from each common source element  1 , which have a random, non-uniform pattern of integral subunits connected thereto. 
     The drawn striated ribbon(s)  1  may be taken up on a collection reel  74 , or, alternatively, continuously fed from the orientation and stretching station to a cutting station  82  where each ribbon  1  is cut into discrete fibrous material lengths by transversely cutting the ribbon, such as with a conventional tow cutter. The cut fibrous material lengths are not particularly limited, and may be, e.g., about 10 mm to about 100 mm, particularly about 30 mm to about 50 mm, or other lengths. The cut lengths  101  of reinforcing fibrous material  1  can be packaged, such as in water-dispersible plastic bags  92  or other suitable containers. 
     Additional Fiber Characteristics. Referring again to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment the main filament element  11  of a fibrous unit released from the fibrous material  1  has a substantially uniform cross-section along its length  15 , and each of the subunits  12  have substantially uniform cross-sectional diameters along their length from the proximal end  16  to the distal end  17  thereof. It will be understood that individual subunits  12  may have substantially uniform cross-sectional diameters, but that the diameters can vary from subunit to subunit. The main filament element  11  of synthetic fibrous unit  10  may have a diameter of between about 1.0 and about 6 mil (25 to 152 micrometers), with a preferred range of about 3.0 to about 5.0 mil (76 to 127 micrometers). The subunits  12  generally have a diameter that is up to about 20% of the diameter of the main filament element  11 . In one embodiment, the main filament element  11  has a diameter of about 90 to about 110 micrometers, and the subunits  12  have diameters up to about 20 micrometers. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, at any point taken along the length  15  of the inventive fibrous unit  10 , the cross-sectional area  18  of the main filament element represents between 75 to 99.9%, and preferably between of 85 to 98%, and most preferably between 95 to 98% of the overall or combined cross-sectional area ( 18 + 19 ) of the fibrous unit  10  at that location, and the total cross-sectional area  19  of the subunits or branches  12  present at that same location along the fibrous unit  10  constitute the remainder (e.g., 0.1 to 25%, etc.) of the overall cross-sectional area of the fibrous unit for purposes of this stated relationship. In the illustrated embodiment, the subunits  12  have a substantially uniform thickness  190  between the proximal end  16  and distal end  17 . For the purposes of conformability to the matrix and finishability, the cross sectional geometric profile of the main filament element  2  of the fibrous unit  10  is preferably within the range of 1 to 3 in terms of a measure taken from the longer line segment ( 61 ) of two perpendicular lines  61 ,  62  that transect a central point  63  within the profile divided by the shorter line segment ( 62 ) of the two perpendicular lines. More preferably, this comparison of width and height is in the range of 1 to 2 and most preferably in the range of 1 to 1.5. 
     Further, although illustrated as a circular cross-sectional shape in  FIG. 2  herein, the cross sectional profile of the main filament element  2  may approximately define many shapes such as a rectangular, polygonal, oval, and circular geometries, wherein this list also may represent their respective order of preference with circular being most preferred. Other geometries also may be used. 
     Reinforced Cementitious Materials. In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of Individual fibrous units  10  are released by each fibrous material  1  by shearing forces associated with wet mixing of concrete or other cementitious compositions, such as concrete mixed in accordance with ASTM C-94 or similar or greater shear conditions. The reinforcement fibrous material may be used in combination with cementitious materials containing hydraulic cements, non-hydraulic cements, or other cementitious materials. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the synthetic reinforcement fibrous units  10 , after release from the fibrous material  1  and distribution during concrete mixing, exhibit strength and improved flexibility, as well as are endowed with inherent and improved dispensability and dispersability into organic or inorganic cementitious matrixes  100 , such as concrete, mortar, plaster, grout, etc., which may contain dispersed aggregate  102  in addition to the reinforcing fibers  10  and other matrix components. For example, when a concrete mix is dosed with the reinforcement fibrous material at a rate of at least about 1.5 pounds per cubic yard (0.1% by volume), a very large number of the individual fibrous units, which can reach up into 10&#39;s of millions thereof depending on the scale of the project, are dispersed throughout the entire mix, inhibiting the propagation of micro cracks and imparting toughness throughout, amongst other benefits. 
     The proportion of individual fibrous units  10  released from each fibrous material or element  1  into a concrete mixture when mixed according to ASTM C94 conditions, is very high. The occurrence of more of two individual fibrous units  10  still held together after such mixing is generally rare. As referenced to the number of original rib members  2  in its fibrous source material or element  1 , at least 80%, particularly at least 90%, more particularly at least about 95%, and even more particularly at least about 98%, of the individual fibrous units are released from the fibrous material  1 . For example, for a 90% release of individual fibrous units  1  for a discrete length of fibrous ribbon material  1  having 20 ribs ( 2 ) spaced apart across its width, then an average of 18 individual fibrous units per each fibrous material element  1  are released (i.e., 18/20) for the a given amount of the fibrous material  1 . Also, the subunits remain durably attached to the main element during wet concrete mixing and curing. In one embodiment, greater than about 90%, particularly greater than about 95%, and more particularly greater than about 98% of the total subunits of the fibers stay attached to the main filament elements through wet mixing and curing of concrete reinforced by them. Also, the combination of subunits having fine hair like structures as well as short stubby or barbed structures enhances anchoring capabilities of the fibrous unit and helps increase surface energy differences between different fibrous units to improve the three-dimensional dispersability of the fibrous units within concrete and reduce nesting and unwanted alignment problems. 
     The synthetic reinforcement fibrous material construction exhibits a modulus at 30% elongation 3.0 and 9.5 Gpa, and preferably in the range of between 3.0 and 8.5 Gpa, and most preferably between 3.0 and 5.0 Gpa. In particular embodiments, the synthetic reinforcement fibrous material disperses fibrous units within cementitious material effective to improve procure and post cure properties of cementitious products. For example, an average residual strength per ASTM C1399 can be provided in such concrete products of at least 190 psi at 5 lb per cubic yard loading at 8 days cure, a residual strength per ASTM C1399 of at least 140 psi at 4 lb per cubic yard loading at 8 days cure, and a residual strength per ASTM C1399 of at least 80 psi, particularly at least 110 psi, at 3 lb per cubic yard loading at 8 days cure. Fiber reinforced concrete building products according to this invention exhibit a 20% increase over a control to initiate crack per ASTM C1609. For this discussion, the “control” refers to the otherwise same concrete product except it lacks the reinforcement fibrous material. The fiber reinforced concrete building products also exhibit a crack reduction per ASTM C1579 of at least 50% of control. 
     As indicated, improved hydratable cementitious compositions and fiber-reinforced concrete building products incorporating the synthetic reinforcement fibrous materials are also provided within additional embodiments of the invention. The synthetic reinforcement fibrous material may be used in preparing a concrete mix that is formed and cured to provide an improved fiber-reinforced concrete building product. The cement mix can include Portland cement and/or other hydratable cementitious material. It may be in dry or wet forms. The synthetic reinforcement fibrous material of embodiments of the present invention can be separately packaged, such as in water dispersible bags, for introduction into a concrete mix at any time before, during or after concrete mixing. The synthetic reinforcement fibrous material can be introduced into and dispersed with ready mixed concrete, such as by using conventional concrete mix agitating or stirring means and methods before the mix sets and hardens. Alternatively, the synthetic fibrous material can be pre-packaged as a mixture with one or more other concrete mix components, such as Portland cement and the like and/or other concrete ingredients, such as, e.g., supplementary cementitious materials (e.g., fly ash, slag, etc.), aggregates (e.g., sand, gravel, crushed stone, etc.), and/or conventional chemical admixtures used for concrete (e.g., air-entraining admixtures, accelerating admixtures, corrosion inhibitors, etc.). Concrete products of embodiments of the present invention generally may be a mixture of aggregates, paste and the synthetic fiber material. The paste, typically comprised of cement and water, binds the aggregates (usually sand and gravel or crushed stone) into a rocklike mass as the paste hardens because of the chemical reaction of the cement and water. Supplementary cementitious materials and chemical admixtures may also be included in the paste; with particular note made to the fact that the separable fibrous units of the instant invention is essentially non-reactive to such conventional supplementary materials. The synthetic reinforcement fibrous material of the present invention can be dosed in concrete at rates of at least about 1.5 pound per cubic yard, and may range between about 1.5 to about 7.5 pounds per cubic yard, although the preferred amount may vary depending on the particular application. The synthetic fibrous materials particularly may be used in precast and slab on ground. Among other improvements, the concrete building product has improved micro-crack control (against propagation) while maintaining good conformability and strength contribution from the synthetic fibrous material of embodiments herein. Unlike conventional rigid reinforcing fibers, such as steel fibers or the like, the inventive separable fibers do not tend to displace aggregate within the cementitious mix, which helps to ensure a uniform concrete construct or matrix is obtained. The concrete form also has good finishability as the synthetic fiber material is conducive to finishing operations. 
     The reinforcing fibrous material and releasable fibrous units of the present invention are particularly useful in precast concrete as a secondary reinforcement, and for the purpose of controlling plastic shrinkage and settlement cracking. It should be noted that application of a continuous filament having a fibrous construction in accordance with teachings herein may also be applied to soil stabilization uses. 
     As other advantages and benefits of the present invention, the inventive reinforcing fibrous material and releasable individual fibrous units thereof are non-abrasive, alkali-resistant, non-ferrous/non-corrosive, and do not promote mold growth. They help control flow of bleed water to minimize “layered” loss of strength (i.e., highest to lowest based on direction of water bleed). The fibrous subunits bridge through plastic micro-cracks caused by low humidity, high winds, and high air temperatures. Thus, effective shrinkage and settlement control can be provided using the inventive reinforcement fibrous systems. The fiber system of the present invention becomes rooted in cured concrete to increase crack resistance to cracking by increasing force necessary to cause a break and then redistributes force so a crack is resistant to spreading well before any primary steel reinforcement needs to come into play. The inventive reinforcement system is a suitable replacement for welded wire fabric, conventional light gauge steel reinforcement (e.g., #3/#4 rebar), and steel fiber, and is highly compatible with all tied steel applications as a tertiary reinforcement. They also reduce handling and transportation stresses. Concrete reinforced with the inventive reinforcing fibrous material has a uniform porosity on exposed faces; lower permeability, higher resistance to moisture transfer in subterranean applications; reduced sealer consumption; and higher abrasion resistance. Three-dimensional “corner to corner” reinforcement is provided with the inventive fibers as micro fibers, with enhanced finishability and conformability. The reduction of micro-cracks obtained by using the inventive fibrous material in concrete reduces the ability of water to intrude into concrete and improves freeze/thaw induced large cracks. The combined non-corrosive, high conformability/dispersability, non-occlusive, and micro-crack reduction features, and so forth, of the inventive reinforcement material and fibrous units released therefrom allow for its use in more extreme concrete environments, such as pervious concrete. An enhanced uniformity of aggregate placement is attained as the reinforcement fibrous units complexes maintain aggregate in suspension during plastic phase of concrete. Fibers exposed on the concrete surface are non-functional and may be easily finished, such as via burning them off or, if left alone, exposed fiber ends thereof will solar degrade over a relatively short period of time (e.g., several months). Improved and high early green strengths (e.g., in less than 12 hours) obtained in cementitious mixtures reinforced with the inventive fibrous material allows for earlier stripping of forms (e.g., mold strips) while holding closer tolerances to precast forms and thus less rejection, reduction in green strength specific reinforcement steel, enhanced edge and surface integrity, reductions in rework, resistance to impact spalling, and thus providing reduced production time and overall material costs. The low mass of the inventive fibrous units also significantly reduces issues of secondary projectiles under impact. 
     The examples that follow are intended to further illustrate, and not limit, embodiments in accordance with the invention. All percentages, ratios, parts, and amounts used and described herein are by weight unless indicated otherwise. 
     Mix Design. For purposes of this application, the following concrete mixing and testing protocols are used to assess performance of fibrous reinforcing materials in mixed concrete, unless indicated otherwise. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Concrete Mix Design Ingredients 
                 lbs./yd 3   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Portland Cement (Type I) 
                 905.9 
               
               
                   
                 Fine Aggregate (natural sand) 
                 1358.8 
               
               
                   
                 Course Aggregate (small river rock - pea 
                 1358.8 
               
               
                   
                 gravel) 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 362.3 
               
               
                   
                 W/C ratio 
                 0.40 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Testing Conditions: Environmental Chamber Test Requirements 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Temperature, ° F. 
                 36° C. +/− 3 
               
               
                   
                 Relative Humidity, % 
                 30 +/− 10% 
               
               
                   
                 Air Velocity, m/sec. 
                 4.7 m/s minimum 
               
               
                   
                 Moisture Loss, lbs./ft 2 /hr. 
                 0.20 lbs. minimum 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE III 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Testing Protocols 
               
               
                   
                 Test Units: A test unit is at least six test specimens. 
               
               
                   
                 Three are control specimens without fibers. The other 
               
               
                   
                 specimens are identical except they contain specified 
               
               
                   
                 amounts and types of fiber. Control concrete specimens 
               
               
                   
                 may be compared to more than one series of fiber- 
               
               
                   
                 reinforced concrete specimens. 
               
               
                   
                 Test Apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 Molds: A mold with a depth of 4 inches (102 mm), a 
               
               
                   
                 minimum surface area of 1.75 square feet (0.16 m2), 
               
               
                   
                 and rectangular dimensions of 14 inches by 22 inches 
               
               
                   
                 (356 mm by 559 mm), with internal restraint and stress 
               
               
                   
                 risers. The mold shall be fabricated from metal, 
               
               
                   
                 plastic or plyform. Fabricate the plastic or plyform. 
               
               
                   
                 Fabricate the internal restraints and stress riser for a 
               
               
                   
                 separate sheet metal piece. This sheet metal piece shall 
               
               
                   
                 seat snugly at the bottom of the mold. 
               
               
                   
                 Restraint: Two 1.25-inch (31.7 mm) risers, placed 4 
               
               
                   
                 inches (102 mm) inward from each end of the mold, provide 
               
               
                   
                 restraint to the concrete. The center 2.5-inch (63.5 mm) 
               
               
                   
                 stress riser serves as an inhibition point for plastic 
               
               
                   
                 shrinkage cracking 
               
               
                   
                 The cracking values of each panel shall be computed by 
               
               
                   
                 multiplying crack lengths by their associated average 
               
               
                   
                 widths and accumulating these products to determine the 
               
               
                   
                 specimen&#39;s total cracking value (mm 2 ). 
               
               
                   
                 Cracking value (FRC)/Cracking value (control) × 100% 
               
               
                   
                 Test Results 
               
               
                   
                 The results shall be evaluated on the basis of averaging 
               
               
                   
                 the test results. Any peculiar individual test results 
               
               
                   
                 shall be noted. 
               
               
                   
                 The minimum accepted for the final results shall be that 
               
               
                   
                 synthetic fibers decrease the plastic shrinkage cracking 
               
               
                   
                 of concrete by 40 percent. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     Two samples of fibrous synthetic fibrous materials were manufactured representing embodiments of the present invention. The synthetic fibrous materials for these two production lots of reinforcing fiber product were designated Samples “1” and “2” for purposes of this example. The fibrous materials were prepared with a composition containing: 77.5% 5.0 Melt polypropylene homopolymer, 2.5% black color concentrate (comprised of a 0.285% carbon black, 5.415% LDPE, and 94.3% LLDPE), and 20% reprocessed component comprised of a 4:1 refractional melt polypropylene to LLDPE blend. The polypropylene homopolymer, refractional melt polypropylene, and linear polyethylene components can have properties such as described hereinabove. 
     To prepare the synthetic fibrous materials  1  and  2 , compositions as described hereinabove were processed on an apparatus generally represented by and described above with reference to  FIG. 4  and using an extrusion die described above with reference to  FIG. 5 . A striated ribbon sheet was extruded using a serrated extrusion die in the form of striated ribbon comprising longitudinally extending alternating ribs and webs. The striated ribbon  21  was incrementally drawn (stretched) using Godet rolls at following draw conditions: draw ration 9:1, oven temperature 300° F. The drawn striated ribbon was transversely cut into discrete lengths of about 3.0-50 mm. 
     The following properties, and applied test methods, were measured for a plurality of reinforcement fibrous elements containing individual fibrous units from each production lot and averaged, with the results indicated in Tables 1 and 2: linear density (ASTM D1577-Standard Test Methods for Linear Density of Textile Fibers), elongation as % peak strain (ASTM D3822-Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Single Textile Fibers), Young&#39;s Modulus at 30% elongation (ASTM D3822), and tenacity (ASTM D3822). 
     As a comparative reinforcing material, a synthetic fiber netting material (designated “ 1 C” for purposes of this example) was prepared using a slitting process to “fibrillate” a tape into a net configuration, and a plurality of the comparative products were measured for similar properties and averaged, with the results indicated in Table 3. 
     To prepare the comparison synthetic fiber material “ 1 C”, a polypropylene/polyethylene resin blend was film extruded, uniaxially oriented, fibrillated, and cut to discrete length. The fibrillation process included use of mechanical fibrillation means having the general layout of the above-mentioned U.S. patents pertaining to mechanical fibrillation systems, with the adaptation/modification including the use of a pin spacing of ≧10 pins/cm, a pin density of ≧5.5 pins per square cm, and a pin rate of ≧40 percent, providing fibrous lace-like product having at least 5% fibrillation per square inch. The reinforcing material was cut into about 38 mm lengths. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Sample 1 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Linear Density 
                 Tensile 
                 Elongation 
                 Young&#39;s 
                   
               
               
                 (lbs./ 
                 Peak Load 
                 (% Peak 
                 Modulus 
                 Tenacity 
               
               
                 10,000 ft.) 
                 (lbs.) 
                 Strain) 
                 (Gpa) 
                 (lbs./ld) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1.866 
                 33.320 
                 17.958 
                 4.484 
                 17.856 
               
               
                 1.866 
                 28.890 
                 20.870 
                 3.840 
                 15.482 
               
               
                 1.866 
                 28.320 
                 14.770 
                 4.525 
                 15.177 
               
               
                 1.866 
                 29.070 
                 13.200 
                 4.568 
                 15.579 
               
               
                 1.866 
                 29.340 
                 15.558 
                 3.654 
                 15.723 
               
               
                 1.860 
                 31.190 
                 18.448 
                 3.814 
                 16.769 
               
               
                 1.860 
                 30.740 
                 24.556 
                 3.428 
                 16.527 
               
               
                 1.860 
                 30.950 
                 19.395 
                 4.526 
                 16.640 
               
               
                 1.860 
                 32.830 
                 16.786 
                 4.809 
                 17.651 
               
               
                 1.860 
                 27.790 
                 17.026 
                 3.559 
                 14.941 
               
               
                 1.890 
                 32.130 
                 13.825 
                 4.525 
                 17.000 
               
               
                 1.890 
                 30.440 
                 16.301 
                 4.193 
                 16.106 
               
               
                 1.890 
                 32.510 
                 21.626 
                 3.882 
                 17.201 
               
               
                 1.890 
                 30.250 
                 18.828 
                 3.998 
                 16.005 
               
               
                 1.890 
                 31.060 
                 19.225 
                 3.321 
                 16.434 
               
               
                 1.890 
                 28.910 
                 19.049 
                 4.027 
                 15.296 
               
               
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
               
               
                 1.865 
                 30.484 
                 17.964 
                 4.072 
                 16.274 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Sample 2 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Linear Density 
                 Tensile 
                 Elongation 
                 Young&#39;s 
                   
               
               
                 (lbs./ 
                 Peak Load 
                 (% Peak 
                 Modulus 
                 Tenacity 
               
               
                 10,000 ft.) 
                 (lbs.) 
                 Strain) 
                 (Gpa) 
                 (lbs./ld) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 2.114 
                 37.930 
                 14.839 
                 5.937 
                 17.942 
               
               
                 2.114 
                 33.990 
                 14.272 
                 4.579 
                 16.079 
               
               
                 2.114 
                 38.550 
                 16.295 
                 5.107 
                 18.236 
               
               
                 2.114 
                 35.520 
                 16.478 
                 5.148 
                 16.802 
               
               
                 2.114 
                 31.250 
                 16.497 
                 4.568 
                 14.782 
               
               
                 2.176 
                 36.940 
                 17.694 
                 5.565 
                 16.976 
               
               
                 2.176 
                 32.590 
                 16.553 
                 4.859 
                 14.977 
               
               
                 2.176 
                 36.130 
                 15.961 
                 5.938 
                 16.604 
               
               
                 2.176 
                 36.940 
                 15.463 
                 5.813 
                 16.976 
               
               
                 2.176 
                 36.590 
                 14.909 
                 5.453 
                 16.815 
               
               
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
               
               
                 2.124 
                 35.643 
                 15.896 
                 5.297 
                 16.802 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison Fiber 1C 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Linear Density 
                 Tensile 
                 Elongation 
                 Young&#39;s 
                   
               
               
                 (lbs./ 
                 Peak Load 
                 (% Peak 
                 Modulus 
                 Tenacity 
               
               
                 10,000 ft.) 
                 (lbs.) 
                 Strain) 
                 (Gpa) 
                 (lbs./ld) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 2.020 
                 26.360 
                 8.660 
                 6.050 
                 13.060 
               
               
                 2.050 
                 25.120 
                 8.160 
                 6.100 
                 12.260 
               
               
                 2.040 
                 25.460 
                 7.880 
                 6.330 
                 12.500 
               
               
                 2.040 
                 27.180 
                 8.320 
                 6.010 
                 13.320 
               
               
                 2.050 
                 25.900 
                 7.960 
                 6.570 
                 12.660 
               
               
                 2.040 
                 25.520 
                 9.740 
                 5.600 
                 12.530 
               
               
                 2.050 
                 25.440 
                 8.760 
                 5.540 
                 12.410 
               
               
                 2.070 
                 25.080 
                 8.180 
                 5.940 
                 12.140 
               
               
                 2.090 
                 26.760 
                 9.320 
                 5.670 
                 12.780 
               
               
                 2.060 
                 25.840 
                 9.120 
                 5.180 
                 12.560 
               
               
                 2.030 
                 24.720 
                 8.480 
                 6.230 
                 12.210 
               
               
                 2.080 
                 21.300 
                 9.360 
                 4.320 
                 10.240 
               
               
                 2.030 
                 25.720 
                 9.980 
                 5.370 
                 12.700 
               
               
                 2.000 
                 24.620 
                 9.040 
                 5.540 
                 12.280 
               
               
                 2.010 
                 25.660 
                 8.520 
                 6.140 
                 12.760 
               
               
                 2.020 
                 25.980 
                 9.200 
                 5.760 
                 12.830 
               
               
                 2.020 
                 24.820 
                 8.840 
                 5.790 
                 12.290 
               
               
                 2.050 
                 26.320 
                 9.680 
                 5.830 
                 12.850 
               
               
                 2.050 
                 25.720 
                 7.940 
                 6.430 
                 12.570 
               
               
                 2.090 
                 25.000 
                 9.000 
                 5.760 
                 11.990 
               
               
                 2.090 
                 26.100 
                 8.560 
                 6.040 
                 12.460 
               
               
                 2.070 
                 26.560 
                 9.300 
                 5.950 
                 12.870 
               
               
                 2.120 
                 26.020 
                 9.460 
                 5.400 
                 12.300 
               
               
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
                 Avg. = 
               
               
                 2.051 
                 25.53 
                 8.846 
                 5.807 
                 12.460 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As seen in these results, the inventive fiber materials exhibit improved superior tensile strength, elongation, Young&#39;s Modulus and tenacity properties at a comparable linear density value for the compared fibrous reinforcing materials. 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be affected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.