MATERIAL DATA SHEET

Compressed fibre cement sheet, smooth finish (6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 24mm)

Fibre Cement
mineral › Cementitious › Fibre Cement
mineralcementitiousfibre-cementcompressednon-combustiblemoisture-resistantbushfire-ratedaustralian-made
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CEM-FC-003
Compressed fibre cement sheet, smooth finish (6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 24mm)
Category mineral
Material Family Cementitious
Regulatory Status Non-combustible (AS 1530.1)
Density
1620 kg/m³ kg/m³
Carbon (A1-A5)
0.65-0.97 kg CO2e/kg kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Non-combustible (AS 1530.1)
Lifespan
50+ years yrs
Description

Compressed fibre cement (CFC) sheets are manufactured from Portland cement, ground sand, cellulose fibres, and water under high pressure. These sheets offer superior strength, durability, and fire resistance compared to standard fibre cement. Available in smooth finish with square edges, they are suitable for internal and external applications including structural flooring, wall cladding, wet areas, and bushfire-prone construction up to BAL-FZ rating.

Primary Sectors
[Commercial][Industrial]
Typical Uses
  • Structural flooring substrate for tiles
  • External wall cladding
  • Wet area flooring and walls
  • Bushfire-rated construction (BAL-12.5 to BAL-FZ)
  • Tiled balconies and decks
  • Formwork for concrete structures
  • Sound barrier walls
  • Eaves and soffits
  • Commercial and industrial flooring
Recycled Content 0-5%
Renewable Content 8-12% (cellulose fibres)
Recyclability 100% (as aggregate)
Embodied Carbon 0.65-0.97 kg CO2e/kg kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 4-6 MJ/kg MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
Non-combustible - suitable for bushfire zonesMoisture and rot resistantTermite resistantHigh density and strengthSmooth finish ready for coatingDimensionally stableLong service life (50+ years)Australian manufacturedRecyclable at end of life
Cautions
Heavy weight requires handling equipmentBrittle - requires careful handlingDust hazard during cutting (silica)Higher cost than particle boardRequires sealing of cut edgesProfessional installation recommendedLimited flexibilityThermal bridging potential
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TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CEM-FC-003
Density (Dry) 1620 kg/m³ kg/m³
Specific Gravity 1.62
Porosity 15-20% %
Water Absorption <15% by mass %
Hardness 4-5 Mohs
Surface Roughness Ra 1-3 μm μm
UV Resistance Excellent
Chemical Resistance Good (pH 6-10)
pH Tolerance 6-10
Compressive Strength 30-40 MPa MPa
Tensile Strength 4-6 MPa MPa
Flexural Strength 8-12 MPa MPa
Shear Strength 2-3 MPa MPa
Elastic Modulus 10-15 GPa GPa
Impact Resistance Pass soft body impact test J/m
Bearing Capacity 5 kPa (distributed), 2.7 kN (point load) kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.20-0.25
Creep Resistance Low creep under sustained load
Abrasion Resistance Class 3
Thermal Conductivity 0.216 W/mK W/mK
Thermal Resistance R0.028-R0.11 (6-24mm) m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 0.75 kJ/kg·K J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 8-10 × 10⁻⁶/°C μm/m·K
Melting Point >1000°C °C
Ignition Temperature N/A - Non-combustible °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) STC 44-47
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.05-0.10
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 45-65% %

Compressed fibre cement technology was developed in Australia in the 1980s by James Hardie as an asbestos-free alternative to traditional fibro sheets. The compression process was introduced to increase density and strength, making the material suitable for structural flooring applications. Australian manufacturers pioneered the use of cellulose fibres from radiata pine, creating products specifically designed for Australian climate conditions including extreme UV, cyclones, and bushfire zones. The material has become a standard in Australian construction, particularly for wet areas and bushfire-prone regions.

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SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CEM-FC-003
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 0-3
Combustibility Class Non-combustible (AS 1530.1)
Ignition Temperature N/A - Non-combustible °C
Fire Resistance Rating 60-120 minutes hours
Heat Release Rate 0 kW/m² kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion Low - no toxic gases
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 0.65-0.97 kg CO2e/kg kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 4-6 MJ/kg MJ/kg
Water Footprint 150-200 L/m² L/kg
EPD Available No
Recycled Content 5%
Renewable Content 100%
LEED Points MR, EQ credits possible
VOC Emissions <0.5 mg/m²·h g/L
Skill Level Intermediate to Advanced
Crew Size 2-3 persons
Installation Time 20-40 m²/day hr/m²
Curing Time N/A - No curing required hours
Setting Time Immediate min
Temperature Range 5-40°C installation °C
Humidity Range 40-90% RH %
Required Tools
Circular saw with diamond bladeHEPA vacuum extractionMasonry drill bitsCountersinking toolsP2 respirator masksLifting equipment for sheets
Certifications Required
White Card (construction induction)Silica awareness trainingManual handling certification
Weather Limitations
Protect from rain during installationAvoid installation below 5°CSheets must be dry before coating
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COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CEM-FC-003
Material Cost $30-80/m²
Installation Cost $40-60/m²
Annual Maintenance $0.50-2/m²
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) $150-200/m² over 50 years
Market Availability Readily available
Lead Time 1-7 days ex-stock weeks
Design Life 50+ years years
Warranty Period 10 years years
Maintenance Interval Annual inspection, 5-7 year recoating months
Service Temp Range -40 to 80°C °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Pass 100+ cycles
Dimensional Stability ±0.1% moisture movement
Certifications Held
ISO 9001:2015 (manufacturers)CodeMark certification availableChain of custody for cellulose fibresNo added formaldehydeAsbestos-free certificationLow VOC emissions
Fire Code Compliance
AS 3959:2018 BAL-12.5 to BAL-FZAS 1530.1 Non-combustibilityAS/ISO 9239 Floor coverings
Standards Compliance
NCC Volume One & Two compliantC1.1 Type A constructionDeemed non-combustibleSimilar to ASTM C1186 (flat sheets)ISO 8336:1993 (basis for AS/NZS 2908.2)EN 12467 (European equivalent)

DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.

ID: MIN-CEM-FC-003 Schema: v3.0
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