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{{Inappropriate tone|date=May 2010}}
[[File:Wellasbestdach-233-3354 IMG.JPG|thumb|Eternit roofing.]]
'''Eternit''' is the [[registered trademark]] for [[fibre cement]]. This has caused fibre cement to be known under the "Eternit" brand. Though, this is not to be confused, "Eternit" is only a [[trademark]] for fibre cement.

Fibre cement is often applied in building and construction materials, mainly in [[roofing]] and [[facade]] products because of its [[strength]] and durability.

==Material description==
The term "cement" originates from the Latin word "''Caementum''", which signifies chopped stone. Cement describes a binding substance, which will react chemically with water and develop into a material hard as stone.
In fibre cement there is a [[reinforced concrete|fibre reinforcement]], which contributes to making the fibre-cement material even stronger and to better withstand [[tensile strength|tension]]. Together with a carefully planned production process, fibre cement makes it possible to develop strong and long-lasting construction materials.<ref name="Eternit">{{cite web
    | url=http://www.infolink.com.au/c/James-Hardie/Tell-me-more-about-Fibre-Cement-n755412
    | title=Description of Eternit and fibre cement
    | publisher=Infolink
    | accessdate=2009-12-06
    }}</ref>

Today [[fibre cement]] is considered as a material physically suited for construction products such as cladding and roofing. It is primarily due to its function, [[performance]] and commercial value.<ref name="Eternit2">{{cite web
    | url=http://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/article/fibre_cement_cladding
    | title=What is Eternit and fibre cement
    | publisher=Home improvement pages
    | accessdate=2009-12-06
    }}</ref>

==Material history==
Fibre-reinforced cement-products were invented in the late 19th century by the Austrian [[Ludwig Hatschek]]. Principally he mixed 90% [[cement]] and 10% [[asbestos]] fibres with water and ran it through a [[cardboard]] machine. Originally, the fibres were of asbestos and the material was commonly used as [[siding]] in house buildings due to its low cost, [[fire resistance|fire-resistance]], water tightness, light weight, and other useful properties. After the discovery in the seventies that asbestos is harmful to [[health]] and produces [[lung cancer]]s years after professional or occasional exposition ([[asbestosis]]), asbestos use was progressively prohibited and safer [[fibre]] alternatives, based on e.g. [[cellulose fiber]]s were developed in the eighties and applied to secure the widely known strength of fibre cement.

Fibre cement were probably amongst the latest materials on the market to have contained large quantities of asbestos. The reason is that the asbestos fibres are intimately bound to the cement matrix and were first considered to be well immobilized in the cement and less prone to be released in the environment, [[aerosol|suspended]] in the air, and [[inhalation|inhaled]] in the [[lung]] than in other materials or applications such as [[thermal insulation]] or [[flocking]] in which bare asbestos fibres were used. However, asbestos fibres are inevitably released during [[machining]] operations of the objects made of fibre-cement and by long-term erosion of the materials exposed to atmospheric [[weathering]] and [[wind]] when cement [[concrete degradation|degrades]]. [[Occupational health]] concerns and the protection of workers in the fibre-cement [[factory|factories]] have finally lead to the progressive elimination of asbestos from these products.<ref name="Eternit" />

==Material usage==
Fibre cement is a main component of long-lasting [[building material]]s. The main application areas are [[roofing]] and [[cladding]]. The list below gives some common applications. 

'''Internal cladding:'''
* Wet room applications – [[tile]] [[backer board]]s
* [[Fire protection]]
* [[Partition wall]]s
* [[Window sill]]s
* [[Ceiling]]s and [[floor]]s

'''External cladding:'''
* Flat sheets as base and/or architectural facing
* Flat sheets for e.g. wind shields, wall copings, and soffits
* [[Corrugated]] sheets
* Slates as architectural full and partial facing
* Underroof
* [[Plank]]s

'''Roofing:'''
* [[Slate]]s
* Corrugated sheets

Fibre-cement products have found a wide usage in various sectors of construction: industrial, agricultural, domestic and residential buildings, mainly in roofing and cladding applications, for new constructions and [[refurbishment]] projects.

==See also==
* [[Asbestos]]
* [[Cement]]
* [[Fibre cement]]
* [[Construction materials]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commonscat|Eternit}}

[[Category:Asbestos]]
[[Category:Building materials]]
[[Category:Cement]]
[[Category:Concrete]]
[[Category:Composite materials]]



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