The present invention relates to a fiber-reinforced cement based or
cementitious material, and process for making, where the reinforcing
fiber is a chemically treated cellulose or non-cellulose fiber. The fiber
reinforced cementitious material includes (i) cement, (ii) optionally,
sand, aggregate, or sand and aggregate, and (iii) chemically treated
fibers having a polyvalent cation content of from about 0.1 weight
percent to about 5.0 weight percent based on the dry weight of the
treated fibers. The present invention further provides for a fiber
reinforced cementitious material having a weak acid content of from about
0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the dry weight of
the treated fibers.