Tougher greener cement research

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

"Maintenance-free "greener" building materials made from blended cements have advantages over ordinary Portland cements, as they are cheaper, generate less carbon dioxide and are more durable. The key for the improved performance of blends (which substitute fine amorphous silicates for cement) is related to their resistance to water penetration. The mechanism of this water resistance is of great environmental and economical impact but is not yet understood due to the complexity of the cement's hydration reactions. Using neutron spectroscopy, we studied a blend where cement was replaced by ash from sugar cane residuals originating from agricultural waste. Our findings demonstrate that the development of a distinctive hydrogen bond network at the nano-scale is the key to the performance of these greener materials."

http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130916/srep02667/full/srep02667.html

Very cool. About 5% of global man made CO2 production is in cement. This is stronger, more water resistant, made from waste sugar cane.

[bob48]

Interesting. Slag from steel making is ground to a very fine powder and blended with portland cement to make it highly resistant to erosion by sea water.

[undercovergeek]

Interesting. Slag from steel making is ground to a very fine powder and blended with portland cement to make it highly resistant to erosion by sea water.

take bobs word for it - if he knows anything, its how to stop slags going rusty

[bob48]

Slag is my middle name - well no, its actually Frederick...........

[GDS_Starfury]

and it'll lead to greener mafia shoes.

[eyebiter]

.

[Keunert]

greener and cheaper: what a rare combination. in 4 years we get the fusion reactors and now this. i will buy an american suv next.