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 (see also in the Library the scientific paper IUPAC 1976) 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, for example #21 Geopolymer cement review 2013.

Some of the geopolymer applications are still in development whereas others are already industrialized and commercialized. They will be listed in six (6) categories, namely:

Geopolymer Precursor

Geopolymer Resin, paint, binder, grout

Geopolymer cement, concrete, waste management, global warming

Applications with geopolymer cements and concretes are described in the section Geopolymer Cement with special emphasis on the introduction of user-friendly systems. It is striking to notice that Geopolymer cements manufacture emits 80 to 90% less CO₂ (greenhouse effect gas) than Portland Cement. See in GLOBAL WARMING. They are perfect examples of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development.

For information on Fly Ash-based geopolymer cements go to European Research Project GEOASH. For updated very recent detailed information, read Chapters 12, 24, 25 in Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications; you may also download previous papers in the Library .

Rock-based geopolymer cements are ideal for environmental applications, such as the permanent encapsulation of radioactive and other hazardous wastes, toxic metals, as well as sealants, capping, barriers, and other structures necessary for remedying toxic waste containment sites (see our European Research Project GEOCISTEM and the GEOPOLYTECH process). See also in the Library .

Rock-based geopolymer cements and concretes for building and repairing infrastructure have very high early strength, their setting times can be entirely controlled, and they remain intact for a very long time without the need for repair. See in Davidovits’ book, Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications, the Chapters 9, 10, 24 and 25. The strength of geopolymeric rock-based geopolymer concrete is such that a heavy Boeing or Airbus can land on a runway freshly patched with geopolymeric rock-based geopolymer concrete only four hours after patching has been completed. The discovery of this new cement was awarded with a Gold Ribbon by the American National Association for Science, Technology and Society (NASTS) in 1994 (Library paper #3 NASTS award ).

Geopolymer specialty

Geopolymer ceramic

Several decades ago, ceramicists tried to manufacture ceramic tiles at temperatures lower than 450°C, without firing. Geopolymer science masters the transformation of kaolinite, the major component of ceramic clays, into geopolymers of the poly(sialate) and poly(sialate-siloxo) types. Application of this chemistry yielded several technological breakthroughs pertaining to LTGS, Low-Temperature-Geopolymeric-Setting and geopolymerized modern ceramic processing. See in Chapter 23 of Davidovits’ book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications .

Geopolymer high-tech/ fiber reinforced composite

Geopolymer composites have three main properties that make them superior to ceramic-matrix composites, plastics, and organic composite materials.

First:
Geopolymers are very easy to make, as they handle easily and do not require high heat.
Second:
Geopolymeric composites have a higher heat tolerance than organic composites. Tests conducted on Geopolymer carbon-composites showed that they will not burn at all, no matter how many times ignition might be attempted.
Third:
The mechanical properties of Geopolymer composites are as good as those of organic composites. In addition, Geopolymers resist all organic solvents (and are only affected by strong hydrochloric acid).

Before the discovery of geopolymerization, these three critical properties had not been incorporated into any one material. More information are available in applications called GEO-COMPOSITE and GEO-STRUCTURE and in Davidovits’ book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications , Chapter 21.

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 geopolymer concrete (Chapters 24, 25) on a Los Angeles runway. The plane is equipped with a fire-resistant geopolymer-encased electronic flight recorder. The jet’s cabin has also been rendered fireproof with sandwich panels of carbon/Geopolymite® composites (Chapter 21) and geopolymer foam insulating boards (Chapter 22). The jet is also equipped with a highly advanced fireproof air filter. 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 geopolymer 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

There are hundreds of companies manufacturing and selling geopolymer products worldwide.

And a lot more are not claiming they are using the geopolymer chemistry to keep their know-how secret. So, search the web and find patents. You will get a comprenhsive list of commercial applications.

Go to Conference-India

– 7. December: International Workshop on Geopolymer Cement and Concrete

• Geopolymer Cement (chaired by Prof. J. Davidovits, Geopolymer Institute, France)
• Geopolymer Concrete (chaired by Prof. V.J. Rangan, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia)
• Geopolymer Bricks (LTGS) (chaired by Prof. J. Davidovits)
• with the participation of Prof. P. Paramasivam (National University, Singapore)

– 8-10 December: 7th Structural Engineering Convention (SEC 2010)
Keynote lecture on the 8th (Prof. J. Davidovits) on Geopolymer Science dedicated to building materials.
Public lecture on the 9th (Prof. J. Davidovits) titled: Why Pharaohs built the Pyramids with Fake Stones

Photos

J. Davidovits standing before the bilboards announcing the public lecture and the Workshop

Annamalai University Faculty of Engineering and Technology and Entrance to hall

Inaugural stage (left) and the audience (right)

Vice-Chancelor M. Ramanathan and J. Davidovits presenting the Workshop Proceedings (left) and J. Davidovits’ lecture (right)

V.J. Rangan’s lecture (below left) and J. Davidovits’ public lecture on Pyramids (below right)

Honors to J. Davidovits, V.J. Rangan (on his right B. Palaniappan, Dean, and organizer C. Antony Jeyasehar) and P. Paramasivam (on his left co-organizer S. Thirugnanasambandan)

Signing the Proceedings (left); with organizer A. Jeyasehar (right)

ISBN: 9782951482036

Buy your copy of the Video Tutorial at The Geopolymer Shop

With your order, you will receive two items: the new edition of the book Geopolymer Chemistry and Applications and a USB memory stick with 5.5 hours of video tutorials (the Geopolymer for Newcomers series) and up to 10 hours of video bonuses for a total of 15 hours of videos.

Watch this short presentation, it includes small excerpts, and a view of the Geopolymer Institute laboratory.

What is the content of this video tutorial ?

This video tutorial is divided in 9 topics. Its purpose is to give you an introduction, an insight on geopolymer science in general. It is aimed at university professors, doctorates, master students as well as self-learning researchers in the industry. Although you get each concepts fully developed in the book Geopolymer Chemistry and Applications, you may need to look at additional scientific knowledge in reference textbooks on materials science, chemistry and physic. This tutorial is therefore a good supplement for your understanding of all these concepts, and for teachers it is a good help in the learning process of geopolymer chemistry.
As a bonus, you will find “Building the pyramids of Egypt”, Joseph DAVIDOVITS a 1h30 conference on his famous theory on how the Egyptians pyramids were built with re-agglomerated limestone.

What are these files ?

The videos are readable in any computer that can play MPEG4 H.264 AVC files. Most recent  computers, tablets, phones, and some televisions can play them flawlessly. You can use for example the free players Apple QuickTime or VLC or Mplayer or many other video players. They are high definition videos, so your computer should be powerful enough to open them. Download this small excerpt to check the compatibility with your computer; it is the exact size and format of what you will receive. Please, do this test before ordering.

sample-geopolymer-video-tutorial.mp4 – 7.95 MB – 47s – 1024x640p – MPEG4 H.264 AVC

Outline of the tutorials

Topic #1: from invention to industrialization; 1972-2008: 36 years of research, development and applications
The course shows how the development of the geopolymer science concept was governed by the need to solve global technological problems in the industrial fields of extractive minerals, ceramics, cements, building materials, decorative stones and restoration works, fire and heat resistant composites, high-tech composites for aerospace, aircraft, naval and automobile, radioactive and toxic waste containment, thermal insulation.
It further provides a clear distinction between geopolymer and alkali-activated materials and highlights some historical milestones.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to make a clear cut between geopolymer technologies and low-tech/alkali-activated systems.

Topic #2: The mineral geopolymer concept
The course discusses the differences between the ionic and covalent bonding concepts. It introduces the molecular representation for geopolymeric structures based on the most recent results of physicochemical science.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to describe the fundamental principles and concepts of geopolymer science and technology.

Topic #3: Macromolecular structure of natural silicates and aluminosilicates
This course describes the numerous natural minerals and pinpoints their similarities to geopolymeric molecules (monomers, dimers, trimers, etc..) and macromolecules (polymers). It involves:
– Ortho-silicates, ring silicates,
– Linear poly-silicates: pyroxene, amphibole
– Sheet poly-silicates: kaolinite, pyrophillite, muscovite
– Framework poly-silicates: quartz, feldspars, feldspathoids, zeolites
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to explain the properties of the minerals used as raw-materials in geopolymer manufacturing.

Topic #4: Scientific tools, X-rays, FTIR, NMR
This course selects which analytical method is the most appropriate for the study of geopolymers, namely Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Topic #5: Macromolecular structure of Soluble Silicate, Poly(siloxonate) with Si:Al=1:0
This course revisits an old industry namely that of waterglass, a basic geopolymeric chemical ingredient. It involves:
– History of soluble silicates (waterglass), manufacture,
– Macromolecular structure of (Na,K)–silicate glasses,
– Hydrolysis, depolymerization of solid silicates
– Structure of poly(siloxonate) solutions (waterglass)
– NMR spectroscopy, macromolecular structure, identification of soluble species
– Density, Viscosity, pH, alkali silicate powders
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to understand the differences between Na-silicates and K-silicates and how to apply this new knowledge in the design of high-quality geopolymeric products.

Topic #6: Macromolecular chemistry of Metakaolin MK-750 and related geopolymers with Si:Al=1-3
This course follows the various structural changes of the mineral kaolinite into metakaolin and their implications in the geopolymerization mechanisms. It describes:
– Dehydroxylation mechanism of kaolinite
– Chemical mechanism, ortho-sialate molecules
– Kinetic, Chemical attack, Exothermic reaction
– Formation of Na-based geopolymeric frameworks: nepheline, albite, phillipsite
– Formation of K-based geopolymeric frameworks: kalsilite, leucite
Upon completion of this course you will be able to :
– Outline the identification and the study of metakaolin raw materials for geopolymeric precursors with selected instrumental methods.
– Identify the reaction mechanism from monomers, oligomers to polymers, kinetics and geopolymerization parameters.

Topic #7: Low-energy, Low-CO₂ geopolymer cements
This course provides a thorough presentation and discussion on the basic knowledge about geopolymer cements and related building products based on the by-products of industrial and mining activities or Coal-Power-Plants: fly ashes. It comprises:
– MK-750 / slag-based geopolymer cement
– Rock-based geopolymer cement
– Fly ash-based geopolymer cement
– Greenhouse CO₂ mitigation with geopolymer cement: Examples of low CO₂ mitigation with geopolymer cements
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to describe the fundamental principles and concepts allowing the use of geological outcrops as well as mineral by-products and tailings, fly ashes, in low-energy and low-CO₂ geopolymer cements manufacture.

Topic #8: Low-energy, Low-CO₂ geopolymer ceramics
This course offers a comprehensive review of the impact of Geopolymer technology on the manufacture of Low-energy ceramics and bricks. It involves:
– Geopolymerization mechanism of kaolinite under co-valent bonding concept
– Geopolymeric setting at temperature below 65°C, 80°C and 450°C
– Resistance to water; physical properties
– Application to archaeological ceramics: 25.000 year-old geopolymer ceramic: Venus of Dolni Vestonice
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to apply the geopolymeric ceramic concept to implement modern Low-energy ceramic processing for the production of regular ceramic tiles (glazed) or fired bricks.

Topic #9: User-Friendly Systems
Although geopolymerization does not rely on toxic organic solvents but only on water, it needs chemical ingredients that may be dangerous. Some of them may be classified as user-hostile systems and therefore require some safety procedures.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to understand the absolute necessity of implementing user-friendly geopolymeric systems.

Bonus

Geopolymer Webinar
This is a recording of a 5 hours presentation of Joseph Davidovits in October 2013 on geopolymers in general, focusing in industrial applications and science. It is a good introduction on how to approach this topic the right way.

GeopolymerCamp Keynotes
Joseph Davidovits presents each year during this conference a state of the R&D and industrialization of geopolymers at large.

Building the pyramids of Egypt
Joseph DAVIDOVITS presents his famous theory on how the Egyptians pyramids were built with re-agglomerated limestone.

LTGS brick conference
Joseph DAVIDOVITS presents the manufacture of bricks with low energy at the Ceramics and Brotherhood Symposium, Verona, Italy, in July 2008.

Davya 60 cement tutorial and Datobe ceramic tutorial
Two short “how-to” on how to manipulate a geopolymer cement and a geopolymer ceramic, with tips and tricks the way a lab technician of the Geopolymer Institute is doing it.

Buy your copy of the Video Tutorial at The Geopolymer Shop

INCLUDED WITH YOUR ORDER: Proceedings of the Geopolymer 2005 World Congress
(Geopolymer, green chemistry and sustainable development solutions)

The USB memory stick contains the proceedings of the World Congress Geopolymer 2005, held in France and in Australia, on geopolymer science, technology and applications. More than 180 people attended the congress, 85 international research institutions and companies presented a total of 75 papers. They cover a wide scope of topics ranging from geopolymer chemistry, industrial waste and raw material, geopolymer cement, geopolymer concrete (including fly ash-based geopolymers), applications in constructions materials, applications in high-tech materials, matrix for fire/heat resistant composites, and applications in archaeology.

The Proceedings book (Geopolymer, green chemistry and sustainable development solutions) is out of print. The USB memory stick contains all contributions received (additional extended abstracts, and some pictures of the event are included). All papers found in this USB memory stick are in colors, and are the exact copies of the printed book, so you can use them as a reference. It is also compatible with PC, Mac and Unix systems, all files are in standard PDF format. You can print, copy these papers, and use the search engine to find a particular word.

GET 3 PROCEEDINGS IN 1 SINGLE ORDER
A unique collection of scientific articles
133 papers – 1190 pages
ISBN: 9782951482005

As a FREE BONUS, the USB memory stick includes the proceedings of Geopolymer ’88, and Geopolymer ’99. We do this because these proceedings are out of print. They are the exact copies of their printed versions, so you can still use them as a reference and seek for the right paper at the right page.

Read the Table of Content to know more.

His conference on the transfer of LTGS brick technology is available on line, either at the Geopolymer Institute or at YouTube or Vimeo. Go to LTGS Brick, low cost construction material

Course director

All the courses will be directed by Professor Joseph Davidovits, the inventor and founder of Geopolymer.

Who should attend?

The courses are for professionals with a solid chemical background (engineer degrees, master degrees) or with equivalent long-term practice.
Some courses (Geopolymer for Newcomers, Geopolymer for Investors, …) are designed for professionals involved for a wide range of development in all applications including managers, finance specialists, R&D, marketing, business decision makers, technology and product development, …

Language is English ( langue française sur demande pour 2 participants ou plus ). Each course is designed for a maximum of 10 participants in order to encourage fruitful discussions between Prof. Joseph Davidovits and the students.

Courses Schedule for 2008-2009

We are providing below the list of the courses for the year 2008 (April-December) and 2009 (January-March).

Geopolymer Course # 1: Geopolymer for Newcomers (3 days)
April 01-03, May 13-15, August 05-08, September 02-04 (in French), October 22-24 (in French), December 09-11, February 10-12, March 10-12

Geopolymer Course # 2: Metakaolin based Geopolymer Ceramics (3 days)
April 08-10, October 21-24, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 3-4: Low-energy / Low-CO₂ Cement : Slag/rock/fly ash-based Geopolymer (4 days)
April 15-17, other dates on demand,

Geopolymer Course # 5: Quality Controls, Physical and Chemical Properties (3 days)
April 28-30, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 6: Low-Energy Geopolymer Technology applied to Ceramic Industry (3 days)
May 20-22, September 09-11,

Geopolymer Course # 7: Castable Geopolymer Compounds (molds, prototypes, artifacts) (2 days)
May 27-28, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 8: Fire Resistant Geopolymer Matrix Composites (2 days)
May 29-30, Other dates on demand 

Geopolymer Course # 9: Geopolymers in Toxic and Radioactive Waste Management (3 days)
June 03-05, September 23-25, Other dates on demand

Geopolymer Course # 10: Geopolymer for Investors (2 days)
May 06-07, Other dates on demand

All courses are organized in learning / teaching sessions that allow to attend several courses in a row. So, you can attend a series of course that belong to the same topics.

Click here for the entire Courses Program

Sessions for 2008-2009

Sessions A to C

Sessions D to F

Sessions G to I

Tuition per one participant:

It includes luncheons, breaks, book and course notes;
4-day course: 1950 Euros; group rate 1800 Euros (+ tax if any)
3-day course: 1650 Euros; group rate 1500 Euros (+ tax if any)
2-day course: 1150 Euros; group rate 1050 Euros (+ tax if any)

Course location

The courses are held at the Geopolymer Institute. Please read the following pages to prepare your stay: Access Map and Prepare your stay

Client Site. You can ask for a short course at your site and at your convenience. 2 persons from the Geopolymer Institute will come (likely Prof. J. Davidovits with another person). You will have to pay for travel expenses, lodging and the tuition for a min. of 4 enrollments. For further information, please contact us.

Text

Each participant will receive for the course the most updated version of the book GEOPOLYMER Chemistry and Applications by J. Davidovits, and additional Technical Papers.

Please, go to the next page for the registration form.

Registration form

Before filling in the registration form, find the date and the course’s title you want to attend, and note its reference on the sessions’ table above. It corresponds to the session and the topic of the course. So, if we change the date (e.g. from one or two days to group several courses in a row), we will not change the reference of the course.
Then, print it, fill it in, and fax or mail it. All information about the payments and general information can be found there.

We are open to any arrangements for groups, especially from overseas, who would like to participate to two or more courses in a row, for example Wednesday-Friday and Monday-Wednesday, with a free weekend time in Paris. Because we accept few participants, we are very flexible. Do not hesitate to contact us.

How to register ?

Download the registration form in PDF format.

First, download the registration form in PDF format to read all information about your tuition and methods of payment. Then, you can either fill in this form, or do it online with the form below.

A Practical and Scientific Approach to Sustainable Development
5th Edition

ISBN: 9782954453118

Buy your copy of the book at The Geopolymer Shop

What can be done about the major concerns of our Global Economy on energy, global warming, sustainable development, user-friendly processes, and green chemistry? Here is an important contribution to the mastering of these phenomena today. Written by Joseph Davidovits, the inventor and founder of geopolymer science, Geopolymer Chemistry and Applications is an introduction to the subject for the newcomers, students, engineers and professionals. You will find science, chemistry, formulas and very practical information (including patents’ excerpts) covering:

• The mineral polymer concept: silicones and geopolymers
• Macromolecular structure of natural silicates and aluminosilicates
• Scientific Tools, X-rays, FTIR, NMR
• The synthesis of mineral geopolymers
  • Poly(siloxonate) and polysilicate, soluble silicate, Si:Al=1:0
  • Chemistry of (Na,K)–oligo-sialates: hydrous alumino-silicate gels and zeolites
  • Kaolinite / Hydrosodalite-based geopolymer, poly(sialate) Si:Al=1:1
  • Metakaolin MK-750-based geopolymer, poly(sialate- siloxo) Si:Al=2:1
  • Calcium-based geopolymer, (Ca, K, Na)-sialate, Si:Al=1, 2, 3
  • Rock-based geopolymer, poly(sialate-multisiloxo) 1>5
  • Ferro-sialate geopolymers
  • Silica-based geopolymer, sialate link and siloxo link in poly(siloxonate) Si:Al>5
  • Fly ash-based geopolymer
  • Phosphate-based geopolymer
  • Organic-mineral geopolymer
• Properties: physical, chemical and long-term durability
• Applications:
  • Quality controls
  • Development of user-friendly systems
  • How to quantify and develop geopolymer formulas
  • Castable geopolymer, industrial and decorative applications
  • Geopolymer – fiber composites
  • Foamed geopolymer
  • Geopolymers in ceramic processing
  • Manufacture of geopolymer cement
  • Geopolymer concrete
  • Geopolymers in toxic and radioactive waste management

It is a textbook, a reference book instead of being a collection of scientific papers. Each chapter is followed by a bibliography of the relevant published literature including 75 patents, 120 tables, 360 figures, 550 references, 700 authors cited, representing the most up to date contributions of the scientific community. The industrial applications of geopolymers with engineering procedures and design of processes are also covered in this book.

The discovery of a new class of inorganic materials, geopolymer resins, binders, cements and concretes, resulted in wide scientific interest and kaleidoscopic development of applications. From the first industrial research efforts in 1972 at the Cordi-Géopolymère private research laboratory, Saint-Quentin, France, until the end of 2007, hundreds of papers and patents were published dealing with geopolymer science and technology.

Although review articles and conference proceedings cover various aspects of the science and application of geopolymers, a researcher or engineer is still at a loss to readily obtain specific information about geopolymers and their use. It is this void that we hope to fill with this book.

There are two main purposes in preparing this book: it is an introduction to the subject of geopolymers for the newcomer to the field, for students, and a reference for additional information. Background details on structure, properties, characterization, synthesis, chemistry applications are included.

There are many examples in geopolymer science where an issued patent is either a primary reference or the only source of essential technical information. Excerpts from the more important patents are included in some chapters.

The industrial applications of geopolymers with engineering procedures and design of processes is also covered in this book.

The book holds:
680 pages
119 tables
343 figures and pictures
75 patents
740 references
905 authors cited in references
Hard-cover book, high quality printing, light cream color paper.

FREE DOWNLOAD of Chapter 1 of “Geopolymer Chemistry and Applications”
(1 MB in PDF format).

Buy your copy of the book at The Geopolymer Shop

First comments

“…Congratulations on the publication of the book. I am sure the book will serve as ‘the bible’ of geopolymer science and help the researchers and users immensely…” (a University Professor)

“…I would like to share the comments of one of my young co-workers, she told me: ” Director, it is really a Bible for Geopolymers—the best collection of the literature up to now…” (a Director of a National Research Institution)

“…The book will be of great assistance in teaching some parts of my materials chemistry courses in which I deal with geopolymers, and I will add it to my recommended class reading list. I will request our University library to purchase several copies for the students as it is a completely up-to-date record of what is going on in this field…” (a University Professor)

The GeopolymerCamp is the opportunity to prepare the new edition of the book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications. Indeed, the Geopolymer Institute wishes to publish every year a new revised edition with the most up to date information. During this session, participants will propose subjects or issues that are worthwhile to be edited or added, and the assembly will discuss about it. Prepare your arguments if you want to see your last research, data, applications be added to this reference book.

All the courses will be directed by Professor Joseph Davidovits, the inventor and founder of Geopolymer. They are for professionals with a solid chemical background (engineer degrees, master degrees) or with equivalent long-term practice. Language is English (langue française sur demande pour 2 participants ou plus). Each course is designed for a maximum of 5 participants in order to encourage fruitful discussions between Prof. Joseph Davidovits and the students.

Tuition per one participant: includes luncheons, breaks, book and course notes; + VAT
3-day course: 1650 Euros; group rate 1500 Euros
2-day course: 1150 Euros; group rate 1050 Euros

Venue
Location the Geopolymer Institute place:
Access Map

The texts for the course included in the fee are the new book GEOPOLYMER Chemistry and Applications by J. Davidovits, and additional Technical Papers.

To get the list of the courses for the year 2008 (April-December) and registration details go to Courses Schedule

The photo shows the first printing for proof-reading. We expect to get the first exemplars printed for the end of February 2008. The first edition of the book will be sold on line by the Geopolymer Institute.

The book will serve as a basis for the teaching of geopolymer science and technology, either at Tomas Bata University of Technology, Zlin, or at the Geopolymer Institute, Saint-Quentin, France (Training courses starting April 1., 2008).

See the page dedicated to this book.

The geopolymer LTGS brick is an ideal construction technology for emerging countries, because it offers many characteristics that fulfils the population demands.

This brick uses a very cheap material available in great quantity: lateritic clay earth. This special and abundant earth, mixed with a simple geopolymer binder is compressed to give the shape of a brick then heated in a furnace. Heated at 85°C, LTGS brick is water stable and has enough compressive strength to build a wall. Heated at 250°C, it resists to freezing. At 450°C, its strength increases more, so that it is possible to manufacture structural elements like beams for doors and windows. Compared to a traditional brick fired at 1000°C in a kiln, the LTGS brick needs about eight times less energy for an equivalent strength. Contrary to a traditional brickyard, it requires less equipment and is less expensive to produce. A traditional brickyard must have a certain size before being profitable, whereas LTGS brick can be produced by small brickyards in a village or a small city with less equipment and finance.

Get a natural fresh house

But beyond its strength identical to traditional brick, its lower manufacturing cost and its low energy consumption, a house built out of LTGS brick will be naturally air-conditioned and fresher. This “interior comfort” quality or “passive cooling”, alike pisé, rammed earth or other earth materials, is related to the essential physical and chemical characteristics of geopolymers for LTGS bricks. These geopolymers, which constitutes the matrix of the brick, have zeolitic properties, i.e. the property “to breathe”, to be in constant hygrometrical balance with the interior of a dwelling in order to be an excellent insulation material against heat. We know that, in hot and dry areas, the traditional earth material is providing a comfort much higher than modern insulating material used in industrialized northern countries. LTGS bricks absorb moisture. At night, they store condensation moisture from the surrounding air. During the day, they release this moisture, either inside the house if the relative humidity should be compensated, or outside. So there is evaporation, therefore a drop in the temperature of the material, therefore a cooling of the house and insulation against the heat!

This technology may be used by anyone

The LTGS brick technology was patented in France under the number 80 20386, filed on the 23 September 1980. It is now in the public domain, which means any person in the world can commercially exploit it without the agreement of the first owner, our company CORDI-Géopolymère. However, this system is not understandable by the lay man or the handy person who wants to build a wall in his garden, and unfortunately grocery stores are not selling the required materials! The person who wishes to manufacture LTGS bricks needs chemical and material science backgrounds because it requires some equipments and to develop – invent the right formula for each lateritic soil.

How to know more?

Download the technical paper #14 Geopolymeric Cross-Linking (LTGS) and Building Materials (70 KB) from the Geopolymer’88 Proceedings.

In the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications, the Low-Energy ceramic manufacture and low-tech LTGS bricks are thoroughly outlined in Chapter 23. Also, additional scientific papers can be downloaded at the Library.

Watch a video presentation of this technology

Prof. Joseph Davidovits presented at the Ceramics and Brotherhood Symposium, Verona, Italy, July 4th 2008, the manufacture of the LTGS bricks, an opportunity for small environment-friendly productions in construction materials, for Africa, Asia, America, Middle East and Oceania. The bricks are set at low temperature, low energy and low cost, but with first-class quality and strength.

Click here to download the free video in full lentgh, high quality.
22min 06s – 50 MB – 640×480 30fps – MPEG4 H.264 AVC format
Watch it with Quicktime, VLC, Mplayer, or any MPEG4 H.264 AVC player.

What do I need to implement this technology?

You will find in the above paper all the required information in order to develop the LTGS brick technology by yourself. You need to gather a team of expertise: a geologist to find the right lateritic soil, a material scientist to search for the right chemical material provider and to finalize the chemical formula, and a specialist in manufacturing fired clay bricks. They will find all information needed in the above paper.

In English:

After a concise presentation of the chemical principles governing the LTGS geopolymeric cross-linking with the main mineralogical components of soils, earths and clays, the authors present their experiments for a rational use of lateritic materials. Several tests were carried out with African soils of various origins but the standardization of the processes was made by using a material extracted in Provence, France.
The geopolymerisation techniques make it possible to obtain building materials meeting all the architectural needs: water stable bricks, hardened at room temperature, ceramic bricks with maximum heating from 85°C to 450°C (solar and simple wood fire), cement and hydraulic mortar from laterites, wall and floor coating, and roof.

En Français:

Après une présentation succincte des principes chimiques régissant la réticulation géopolymérique (LTGS) des principaux constituants minéralogiques des sols, terres et argiles, les auteurs, présentent leur expérience quant à l’utilisation rationnelle des matériaux de type latéritique. Les différents essais ont porté sur des terres africaines d’origine diverses mais la standardisation de plusieurs procédés a été faite en utilisant un matériau extrait en Provence, en France, sur le site d’Ollière.
Les techniques de géopolymérisation permettent d’obtenir des matériaux de construction couvrant tous les besoins architecturaux: briques stables à l’eau, durcies à température ambiante, briques céramiques par cuisson de 85°C à 450°C maximum (solaire et simple feu de bois), ciment et mortier hydraulique à partir de latérites, revêtements de sols et de mur, et toiture.

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This brick uses a very cheap material available in great quantity: lateritic clay earth. This special and abundant earth, mixed with a simple geopolymer binder is compressed to give the shape of a brick then heated in a furnace. Heated at 85°C, LTGS brick is water stable and has enough compressive strength to build a wall. Heated at 250°C, it resists to freezing. At 450°C, its strength increases more, so that it is possible to manufacture structural elements like beams for doors and windows. Compared to a traditional brick fired at 1000°C in a kiln, the LTGS brick needs about eight times less energy for an equivalent strength. Contrary to a traditional brickyard, it requires less equipment and is less expensive to produce. A traditional brickyard must have a certain size before being profitable, whereas LTGS brick can be produced by small brickyards in a village or a small city with less equipment and finance.

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