Enhancing Structural Integrity with Advanced CFRP Solutions
As infrastructure ages and loading requirements evolve, the need for reliable, efficient, and non-intrusive strengthening methods has never been greater. Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) systems have become a trusted solution across the construction industry, offering lightweight, durable reinforcement that extends the service life of structures without major disruption.
Sika's Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites offer cutting-edge solutions for the structural repair and strengthening of concrete, masonry, timber, and steel structures. Our CFRP systems are designed to restore and enhance the load-bearing capacity of existing structures, providing long-term durability and performance.
What Are CFRP Composites?
CFRP composites are high-strength materials consisting of carbon fibres embedded in a polymer matrix. These composites are bonded to existing structures to reinforce and strengthen them. Sika offers a range of CFRP products, including:
Applications of CFRP Composites
Bridge and Highway Infrastructure: Enhancing load capacity and extending service life.
Marine and Offshore Structures: Offering corrosion-resistant solutions for harsh environments.
Historical and Heritage Structures: Providing discreet reinforcement without compromising aesthetics.
Industrial and Commercial Buildings: Upgrading structural elements to sustain new loads from building modifications or upgrades due to change of use.
Advantages of Sika CFRP Systems
✓ High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Provides significant reinforcement without adding substantial weight.
✓ Corrosion Resistance: Ideal for structures exposed to aggressive environments.
✓ Minimal Disruption: Quick installation with minimal downtime.
✓ Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of structural applications.
✓ Proven Performance: Backed by over 25 years of global experience and mature design guidance.
CFRP Plates
In an era of ageing infrastructure and evolving usage of existing buildings, the demand for high-performance structural upgrade methodologies is increasing. Our Carbodur CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer) plates offer a sleek, robust, and minimally invasive way to reinforce beams, slabs, walls and more — restoring strength or increasing capacity to prolong asset life without the need for bulky reinforcedconcrete overlays or extensive disruption.
CFRP plates are pultruded laminates combining carbon fibres with an epoxy polymer matrix. They are externally bonded or near surface mounted to structural elements to carry tensile forces and supplement existing reinforcement.
CFRP L Shaped Plates
When existing structures require additional shear reinforcement — especially in constrained zones like beam–column joints, corbels, or openings — L-shaped CFRP plates are an elegant, high-performance solution. Developed to integrate seamlessly with Sika’s strengthening systems, the L-shaped plates supplement shear reinforcement to enhance ductility, and improve shear capacity without heavy interventions. They are particularlysuited to downstand beams due to their ability to be anchored into the slab.
Sika® CarboShear L carbon fibre shear links are corrosion resistant, designed for strengthening concrete structures in shear and to anchor Sika® CarboDur® plates at their ends. They are part of the Sika® CarboDur® CFRP Strengthening System.
Sika® CarboShear L shear links are bonded as external reinforcement using Sikadur®-30 epoxy resin based adhesive for normal temperatures during application.
CFRP Rods
In many structural repair and strengthening scenarios, access, geometry, or congestion make external bonding challenging. CFRP rods, deployed using the Near-Surface Mounted (NSM) technique, offer an efficient, discreet reinforcement alternative that enhances flexural capacity without significantly altering the structure’s appearance or profile. Due to their position in the concrete cover, they are ideal for applications where there isa risk of damage from vehicle or pedestrian traffic
CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer) rods are pultruded, round or rectangular bars made of continuous carbon fibres embedded in a polymeric matrix. These rods are installed into slots/channels in the concrete cover, then bonded into place using high-strength epoxy adhesives. Because they lie close to the surface, they act more integrally with the substrate than externally bonded plates, reducing peel stresses and improving bond performance.
CFRP Fabrics
As structural loads are increased or uses of a structure evolve, many elements require externally bonded reinforcement that conforms to the shape and geometry of the structure. CFRP fabrics deliver flexible, high-performance strengthening solutions for concrete, masonry, timber andcomplex structural geometries.
CFRP fabrics comprise woven, stitched, or unidirectional carbon (or hybrid carbon/glass) fibre textiles which are impregnated with epoxy resins on site to form a composite material that is fully bonded to the substrate. Their fabric-like quality allows them to be wrapped around curved surfaces and tailored to directional load paths.
Sika’s fabric systems (SikaWrap®) integrate with compatible epoxy resins for dry or wet lay-up application, making them suitable for shear, confinement and flexural upgrades
CFRP Cords
When structural connections or anchorages for fabrics arerequired, CFRP cords present an efficient, minimally invasive solution.
CFRP cords are unidirectional carbon fibre elements, typically supplied as continuous fibre bundles (rather than broad fabric or plates). They are used for structural strengthening, anchoring, or as link elements, often in conjunction with other CFRP systems.
Fibre-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) Systems
Sika FRCM combines a high-performance CFRP grid with specially formulated cementitious mortars to strengthen concrete or masonry elements. It’s especially useful in cold, hot or damp environments and heritageprojects where preserving aesthetics is essential.
Sika FRCM allows vapour permeability and can be applied to damp or irregular surfaces, making it ideal for heritage buildings, architecturally sensitive structures, and challenging environments. Sika FRCM, provides a durable, low-impact strengthening solution that enhances structural integrity while preserving the character and appearance of your structure.
