The scientists from Rice University, USA have developed a material using fly ash that can replace cement in concrete in the future. Globally over 20 billion tonnes of concrete are produced every years which result in 5 to 10 percent of global carbon dioxide emission. Scientists have previously too attempted to totally replace cement with fly ash compound, but could not succeed as it required a large amount of expensive sodium-based activators. Sodium-based activators in large amount release the same amount of carbon dioxide as cement which nullifies the environmental benefits.
The material developed by using fly ash by scientists at Rice University does not require high temperature processing and it has the same compressive strength as cement after seven days of curing. The developed material also requires only a small fraction of the sodium-based activation chemicals to harden cement.
Scientists at the University says that the material is cementless and environment friendly.
@EPC World Media
