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Geopolymer Ceramic mixing from Geopolymer Institute on Vimeo.

Geopolymer Ecological Cement mixing from Geopolymer Institute on Vimeo.

For more information on geopolymers, see this explanation from Trudy Kriven.

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In the revolutionary way that aerogel is starting to redefine insulation, geopolymer may be poised to redefine cement, concrete and a lot of other advanced composite materials. And, like aerogel, geopolymer hasn’t received the public attention it should.

In this video,  geopolymer expert Trudy Kriven, a professor of material science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, explains how geopolymers are essentially inorganic polymers made from readily available aluminum- and silica-containing materials.

As Kriven explains, a motive for finding a replacement like geopolymer for traditional Portland cement is environmental: Portland cement production requires a tremendous amount of energy to heat and convert the raw materials (at 1450°C), and can generate nearly one ton of CO₂ for every ton of processed cement.

Geopolymer, on the other hand, doesn’t have to be fired. In addition, Kriven notes, geopolymer is twice as strong as cement in compression, three-times as strong in flexure and can set up in one day.

The reality is that given the need to reduce global CO₂ emissions and given the plans for large scale construction and transportation growth in countries such as China, alternatives to Portland cement are extremely important.

Besides using geopolymer to make concrete, this novel material can be used for fire and corrosion resistant coatings, water and air filtration, CO₂ sequestration materials, projectile armor, substrates for solar and fuel cells, and even a paint substitute.

Adding for clarification . . . Trudy’s comments at around the 3 minute mark can be misconstrued when she says the geopolymer “looks like a ceramic, feels like a ceramic, but wasn’t fired at high temperature.” She is referring to “traditional” ceramics that are fired in a kiln or sintered. However, geopolymer falls within the broad grouping of “ceramic materials.”

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Australia’s national science agency says it has developed a new, strong fire-blocking material. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization calls the material HIPS (‘hybrid inorganic polymer system’).

According to the Melbourne-based CSIRO, construction materials given a coating of HIPS can withstand temperatures of over 1000°C.

CSIRO describes HIPS as a geopolymer: It contains an inorganic geopolymer resin and small amounts of polymer additives. “Geopolymers are an emerging class of ceramic-like inorganic polymers produced at room temperatures that have the potential to transform the building products industry,” says Damian Fullston, the project leader of the group developing HIPS, in a document on the CSIRO website.

Fullston goes on to note, “[Geopolymers] are not only fire-, blast- and acid-resistant, they are also strong, castable, sprayable and extrudable, making their potential uses almost limitless. The polymer additives in HIPS improve the flexibility and waterproofing properties, and provide stronger adhesion, which are important properties for a coating.”

CSIRO is now looking for partners in the manufacturing sector to develop and market HIPS applications. According to the agency, HIPS is would be ideal for fire-resistant coatings on wood, structural metal and brickwork. It can be applied by means of a brush or spray and cures at ambient temperatures.

The material also seems to be environmentally friendly. The agency says,”HIPS coatings are free of volatile organic compounds, do not burn or produce heat and do not release smoke or toxic chemicals at temperatures up to 1200°C.” Further, the feedstock can be derived from fly ash and blast furnace slag.

CSIRO has a podcast about HIPS.

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