Materials for the Third Millennium
Think Geopolymer and Geosynthesis!
The last few years have seen spectacular technological progress in the development of geosynthesis and geopolymeric applications.
New state-of-the-art materials designed with the help of geopolymerisation reactions are opening up new applications and procedures, and transforming ideas that have been taken for granted in inorganic and mineral chemistry.
Since the discovery of the geopolymer chemistry by Prof. Joseph Davidovits this new generation of materials, whether used pure, with fillers or reinforced, is already finding applications in all fields of industry. These applications are to be found in the automotive and aerospace industries, non-ferrous foundries and metallurgy, civil engineering, cements and concretes, ceramics and plastics industries, waste management, art and decoration, retrofit of buildings, etc. One third of the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications is dedicated to geopolymeric applications. You may also go to the Geopolymer Library and download several papers.
You can also buy online samples of geopolymers to test these products in your laboratory.
An Example of the Development of Geopolymeric Composites and Cements That Improves Air Travel Safety and Airport Efficiency*
The Chapters of the book GEOPOLYMER Chemistry & Applications dedicated to these applications are referred to in italic.
A jet is preparing for takeoff from a runway in New York as a crew begins placing a section of concrete on a Los Angeles runway. The plane is equipped with a fire-resistant geopolymer-encased electronic flight recorder patented by S.F.I.M. The jet’s cabin has also been rendered fireproof with sandwich panels of carbon/Geopolymite® composites (Chapter 21) and geopolymer foam insulating boards made with Trolit® materials (Chapter 22). The jet is also equipped with a highly advanced fireproof air filter from Sofiltra-Camfil. Several structural components of the jet, made with an advanced SPF Al superplastic aluminum alloy, have been manufactured at 550°C using compression ceramic tools made of Geopolyceram® materials (Chapter 20).
When the plane is ready to land in Los Angeles, the runway repaired with Pyrament® concrete will be ready for it.
*This fictitious example illustrates possible applications that are or have been manufactured and/or patented by several companies
