STOP promoting fly ash-based cements !

by Prof. Dr. Joseph Davidovits, 

Geopolymer Institute, Saint-Quentin (France)

A continent is on fire. Both Australia and California have never experienced such an inferno. More and more citizens are blaming the climate change (that is CO₂ emissions) responsible for this. But the governments of Australia, along with the U.S., Russia, Brazil, China, India, Poland, South Africa and also Germany – where coal mining and coal-power plants are significant industries and with powerful lobbies – are entrenched and want to stick to their coal policy and business.

Fly ash-based cement is supporting the burning of coal:

The demand for coal in electricity power plants is steadily increasing in the world and consequently generates more and more fly ash. Power plants are lobbying the cement and building industry with so-called low-CO₂ fly ash-based cements. The fact that fly ash is used to make building materials is an excuse to increase coal production. Therefore, any development and implementation of fly ash-based cement is supporting the burning of coal in the production of electricity and increasing CO₂ emission.

But, do you know that the manufacture of 1 metric tonne of fly ash is generating 33 metric tonnes of CO₂ emission? This fact has been overlooked by all experts, including United Nations Environment experts and myself. Indeed, the burning of 10 t Carbon (C=12 g/mol.) produces 36.66 t of CO₂ (CO₂ = 44 g/mol.). But the burning of coal generates 10% by weight of fly ash. In other words, 10 t coal are producing 1 t fly ash and emit 33 t CO₂.

All taken-for-granted ideas and promotional slogans about low-CO2 cements based on fly ash are totally wrong:

Consequently, 1 t of fly ash-based geopolymer cement containing 50% by weight of fly ash, should be associated with 16.5 t of CO₂ emission. Accordingly, 1 t of blended-OPC containing 50% by weight of fly ash, should also be linked to an additional 16.5 t of CO₂ emission. These numbers seem extravagant but they do represent scientific reality, particularly if we compare them with those numbers published in the past for geopolymer cement: 0.2 t CO₂/1 t GP-cement, as well as for Portland cement: 0.9 t CO₂/1 tonne OPC. All taken-for-granted ideas and promotional slogans about low-CO₂ cements based on fly ash are totally wrong.

Experts are stating that this CO₂ does not count because it has already been spent in the production of electricity. But we understand that this production has no future because it is harmful to the global climate. Therefore, the production of fly ash-based cement is not a long-term solution. Admittedly, the material is available and sometimes stored in large quantities. But I think it is not suitable for mass production, only for local niche markets or technical specialties.

Therefore, we should stop promoting coal-fly ash-based geopolymer cements. The solution is to develop and implement geopolymeric systems relying solely on geological resources, such as Ferro-sialate geopolymer cement and the like.

The geological raw material is available worldwide and long-term stability has been demonstrated. There is no reason why scientists around the world should not be working on it. See our recent article on Ferro-sialate Geopolymers in the Geopolymer Institute Library at Technical Paper Nr27 Ferro-sialate. A special session will be dedicated to this topic at the next Geopolymer Camp 2020, July 6-8.

Joseph Davidovits, 12/01/2020.

IMPORTANT: We are changing the format of our Webinar – Q&A session only!

Outline of the talk:

For this Webinar Spring 2017, we have decided to set up a Questions and Answers (Q&A) session. Join Professor Joseph Davidovits and get your chance to ask any questions on Geopolymer Chemistry and Technology. He will answer questions either sent in advance or directly from the audience, live from his office, and stay online up to 3 hours until relevant topics have been discussed.

We strongly engage your attention to watch again the previous webinars videos before attending the webinar and prepare asking your questions. They have been now watched a thousand of times and been acclaimed by many as the best and straightforward introduction to geopolymers for all audiences (including students, scientists, engineers, business men, enthusiastic…).

You will have two ways of asking questions:

1. Complex questions that need certain time to read and study. You can send Professor Joseph Davidovits some texts, pictures or PDF and ask for his advices. He will try to answer your query as best as possible with regard to the audience interests. Please, send in advance your question or comments as a PDF file with graphs and images not exceeding 5 MB in total at the bottom of this page.
2. Simple short questions. They can be asked during the webinar session. Just, type in your question in the chat field of the GoToMeeting software. You can also write your question in advance at the bottom of this page which is the best method anyway to get an answer.

Obviously, you may attend the seminar without having to send any question. It is free for anybody to listen and learn, provided you register. Therefore, we are inviting you to participate, to share the spirit of this event, and hope to have you on line during this Geopolymer Webinar.

There will be two sessions, one for the Eastern hemisphere and the day after for the Western hemisphere. Please, register to only one session.

April 11, 2017: First 3 hour talk for the Eastern Hemisphere (Europe / Africa / Asia), at 07:00 UTC+0 (09:00 Paris / Berlin, 09:00 Johannesburg, 10:00 Moscow, 11:00 Dubai, 12:00 New Delhi, 14:00 Jakarta, 15:00 Beijing, 16:00 Tokyo, 17:00 Sidney, 19:00 Auckland).

April 12, 2017: Second 3 hour talk for the Western Hemisphere (Europe / Americas), at 16:00 UTC+0 (18:00 Paris / Berlin, 17:00 London / Casablanca, 13:00 Rio de Janeiro, 12:00 New York, 11:00 Mexico City, 09:00 Los Angeles).

If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

Language is English.

Note that the number of attendees is limited to 100 per session. So, do not wait for the last moment to join the Webinar and secure your seat before it is too late. This Q&A webinar is FREE.

Who shall attend?
Students, scientists, researchers, engineers from public and private organizations, curious or long-term experienced people in their fields of expertise, professionals involved in a wide range of development, including managers, finance specialists, R&D, marketing, business decision makers, technology and products development specialists, etc.

Technical requirements: We will use the GoToWebinar system from LogMeIn working with many computers (PC, Mac, iOS or Android App), including a fast internet connection, a web browser and the GoToMeeting application that you must install in your computer or your mobile/tablet device. For more information, please verify that you meet the systems requirements for GoToMeeting. Before joining the meeting from the e-mail invitation, please join a test meeting to confirm that you are able to successfully join a meeting.

Register Now:

Do not wait to register. You will immediately receive an e-mail with all the details and a personal link to connect to the webinar. More, you will receive 3 reminders by e-mail, one week, one day and one hour before the beginning of each session.

If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

Ask Your Question:

[si-contact-form form=’4′]

Privacy statement:

We’ll use this information to keep you informed once or twice a year about news or other plans provided by the Geopolymer Institute, and to gather demographic data yielding visitors statistics. Any information gathered using this form will not be given, sold or traded to anyone outside of the Geopolymer Institute for any reason.
We consider all messages received as confidential because they may contain information that is privileged and exempt from disclosure. We will not transmit to third parties your e-mail address. According to the French law (art. 34 of the law “Informatique et Libertés” ( Computer and Liberty ) 6-jan-1978), you have the right to access, edit, modify and delete all data concerning you. To apply this right, please write us.

Videos

This free webinar covers various aspects of the geopolymer science and applications. Yet, you will find a focus on geopolymer cement and concrete to celebrate its successful commercialization that raises a great interest all over the world.
Professor Joseph Davidovits spans a broad spectrum of valuable knowledge in this 2¼ hours video by reviewing the following topics:

1. Geopolymer definitions.
2. Real world and successful applications and commercialization.
3. Heat and fire-resistant geopolymer.
4. Why did it take 30 years to commercialize geopolymer cement?
5. Alkali Activated Materials are not Polymers, so they cannot be used as synonyms for Geo-Polymers!
6. The “good” geopolymer terminology and why using it opens its understanding.
7. Principles of geopolymer technologies (it is first a real “polymer”).
8. Fly ash-based geopolymer concrete: how to make a good one.
9. The 6 basic rules in geopolymer processing.
10. False CO2 emissions calculations.

2h15, 265 MB. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Join Professor Joseph Davidovits and listen to the Free Geopolymer WEBINAR Spring 2016 (free Web Workshop), April 19-20, 2016, a 1-day talk of 3 hours including 3-4 breaks with Q&A that will cover:

• The impact of geopolymer on your R&D projects, university research, product marketing or industrial practices.
• The fundamental principles and concept of geopolymer science and technology (geopolymer resins, binders and cements, high-tech composites, fire- and heat-resistance materials);
• The major impact of geopolymer chemistry on our global economy in terms of low-energy and low-CO2 production technologies: geopolymer cements, geopolymer ceramics, eco-building, LTGS bricks;

LANGUAGE IS ENGLISH. Each talk is designed in order to encourage fruitful discussions between Prof. Joseph Davidovits (3-4 breaks with Q&A).

During the webinar, we plan 2 identical sessions with the same talk and content but with a different time. It will help to connect with people around the world with different time zones. If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

April 19, 2016:

• Session 1: 07:00 UTC+0 (GMT) for Europe, Africa, Asia (09:00 Paris / Berlin, 09:00 Johannesburg, 10:00 Moscow, 11:00 Dubai, 12:00 New Delhi, 14:00 Jakarta, 15:00 Beijing, 16:00 Tokyo, 17:00 Sidney, 19:00 Auckland).

April 20, 2016:

• Session 2: 16:00 UTC+0 (GMT) for Europe and Americas (18:00 Paris / Berlin, 17:00 London / Casablanca, 13:00 Rio de Janeiro, 12:00 New York, 11:00 Mexico City, 09:00 Los Angeles).

Outline of the talk:
The talk 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 presentation, you will be able to make a clear cut between geopolymer technologies and low-tech/alkali-activated systems.

Who shall attend?
Students, scientists, researchers, engineers from public and private organizations, curious or long-term experienced people in their fields of expertise, professionals involved in a wide range of development, including managers, finance specialists, R&D, marketing, business decision makers, technology and products development specialists, etc.

Technical requirements: We will use the GoToWebinar system from LogMeIn working with many computers (PC, Mac, iOS or Android App), including a fast internet connection, a web browser and the GoToMeeting application that you must install in your computer or your mobile/tablet device. For more information, please verify that you meet the systems requirements for GoToMeeting. Before joining the meeting from the e-mail invitation, please join a test meeting to confirm that you are able to successfully join a meeting.

Register Now:

Do not wait to register. You will immediately receive an e-mail with all the details and a personal link to connect to the webinar. More, you will receive 3 reminders by e-mail, one week, one day and one hour before the beginning of each session.

If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

Privacy statement:

We’ll use this information to keep you informed once or twice a year about news or other plans provided by the Geopolymer Institute, and to gather demographic data yielding visitors statistics. Any information gathered using this form will not be given, sold or traded to anyone outside of the Geopolymer Institute for any reason.
We consider all messages received as confidential because they may contain information that is privileged and exempt from disclosure. We will not transmit to third parties your e-mail address. According to the French law (art. 34 of the law “Informatique et Libertés” ( Computer and Liberty ) 6-jan-1978), you have the right to access, edit, modify and delete all data concerning you. To apply this right, please write us.

Webinar Spring 2016

This free webinar covers various aspects of the geopolymer science and applications. Yet, you will find a focus on geopolymer cement and concrete to celebrate its successful commercialization that raises a great interest all over the world.
Professor Joseph Davidovits spans a broad spectrum of valuable knowledge in this 2¼ hours video by reviewing the following topics:

1. Geopolymer definitions.
2. Real world and successful applications and commercialization.
3. Heat and fire-resistant geopolymer.
4. Why did it take 30 years to commercialize geopolymer cement?
5. Alkali Activated Materials are not Polymers, so they cannot be used as synonyms for Geo-Polymers!
6. The “good” geopolymer terminology and why using it opens its understanding.
7. Principles of geopolymer technologies (it is first a real “polymer”).
8. Fly ash-based geopolymer concrete: how to make a good one.
9. The 6 basic rules in geopolymer processing.
10. False CO2 emissions calculations.

2h15, 265 MB. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Webinar Spring 2014: Talk 1 and Talk 2.

These are live recording videos. They constitute genuine tools for those of you who want to learn and increase their knowledge in Geopolymer Science and Technology.

Talk 1/Part 1 – Applications and commercializations

24 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 1/Part 2 – What is a geopolymer ?

15 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 1/Part 3 – The 6 basic rules in geopolymer processing

33 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 1/Part 4 – Geopolymer science and egyptian pyramids

25 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 2/Part 5 – Principles of alumino-silicate geopolymer

29 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 2/Part 6 – Heat- and fire-resistant geopolymer

12 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 2/Part 7 – Fly ashed-based geopolymer (10 min.)

10 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 2/Part 8 – Durability tests

9 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 2/Part 9 – Geopolymer cement standards / low CO₂

12 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Talk 2/Part 10 – Geopolymer science and roman cement

12 minutes. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

IMPORTANT: We are changing the format of our Webinar – Q&A session only!

Outline of the talk:

For this Webinar Fall 2014, we have decided to set up a unique Questions and Answers (Q&A) session. Join Professor Joseph Davidovits and get your chance to ask any questions on Geopolymer Chemistry and Technology. He will answer to questions either sent in advance or directly from the audience, live from his office, and stay online up to 3 hours until relevant topics have been discussed.

We change the format because the videos of the last Webinar Spring 2014 are still available at this web page Video – Webinar Spring 2014: Geopolymer Web Workshop, Apr. 8-9. They have been now watched a thousand of times and been acclaimed by many as the best and straightforward introduction to geopolymers for all audiences (including students, scientists, engineers, business men, enthusiastic…). So, we strongly engage your attention to watch again these videos before attending the webinar and prepare asking your questions.

You will have two ways of asking questions:

1. Complex questions that need certain time to read and study. You can send Professor Joseph Davidovits some texts, pictures or PDF and ask for his advices. He will try to answer your query as best as possible with regard to the audience interests. Please, send in advance your question or comments as a PDF file with graphs and images not exceeding 5 MB in total at the bottom of this page.
2. Simple short questions. They can be asked during the webinar session. Just, type in your question in the chat field of the GoToMeeting software. You can also write your question in advance at the bottom of this page.

Obviously, you may attend the seminar without having to send any question. It is free for anybody to listen and learn, provided you register. Therefore, we are inviting you to participate, to share the spirit of this event, and hope to have you on line during this Geopolymer Webinar Fall 2014.

There will be two sessions, one for the Eastern hemisphere and the day after for the Western hemisphere. Please, register to only one session.

November 25, 2014: First 3 hour talk for the Eastern Hemisphere, at 07:00 UTC+0 (08:00 Paris-Berlin, 09:00 Johannesburg, 10:00 Moscow, 11:00 Dubai, 12:30 New Delhi, 14:00 Jakarta, 15:00 Beijing, 15:00 Perth, 16:00 Seoul, 17:00 Brisbane, 18:00 Melbourne, 20:00 Auckland).

November 26, 2014: Second 3 hour talk for the Western Hemisphere, at 15:00 UTC+0 (16:00 Paris-Berlin, 15:00 London-Casablanca, 13:00 Sao Paulo, 10:00 New York-Bogota, 09:00 Mexico City, 08:00 Phoenix, 07:00 Los Angeles).

If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

Language is English.

Note that the number of attendees is limited to 100 per session. So, do not wait for the last moment to join the Webinar and secure your seat before it is too late. This Q&A webinar is FREE.

Who shall attend?
Students, scientists, researchers, engineers from public and private organizations, curious or long-term experienced people in their fields of expertise, professionals involved in a wide range of development, including managers, finance specialists, R&D, marketing, business decision makers, technology and products development specialists, etc.

Technical requirements: We will use the GoToWebinar system from LogMeIn working with many computers (PC, Mac, iOS or Android App), including a fast internet connection, a web browser and the GoToMeeting application that you must install in your computer or your mobile/tablet device. For more information, please verify that you meet the systems requirements for GoToMeeting. Before joining the meeting from the e-mail invitation, please join a test meeting to confirm that you are able to successfully join a meeting.

Register Now:

Do not wait to register. You will immediately receive an e-mail with all the details and a personal link to connect to the webinar. More, you will receive 3 reminders by e-mail, one week, one day and one hour before the beginning of each session.

If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

Ask Your Question:

[si-contact-form form=’4′]

Privacy statement:

We’ll use this information to keep you informed once or twice a year about news or other plans provided by the Geopolymer Institute, and to gather demographic data yielding visitors statistics. Any information gathered using this form will not be given, sold or traded to anyone outside of the Geopolymer Institute for any reason.
We consider all messages received as confidential because they may contain information that is privileged and exempt from disclosure. We will not transmit to third parties your e-mail address. According to the French law (art. 34 of the law “Informatique et Libertés” ( Computer and Liberty ) 6-jan-1978), you have the right to access, edit, modify and delete all data concerning you. To apply this right, please write us.

Recorded Videos of the Free Geopolymer Webinar Spring 2014: Talk 1 and Talk 2, April 8-9, 2014.

We had a strong attendance (ca. 215 registered participants split between the two daily sessions, see map below).

These are live recording videos. They constitute genuine tools for those of you who want to learn and increase their knowledge in Geopolymer Science and Technology.

Webinar 2014 Talk 1/Part 1 – Applications and commercializations (24 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 1/Part 2 – What is a geopolymer ? (15 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 1/Part 3 – The 6 basic rules of geopolymer processing (33 min.)

Webinar 2014 Part 4 – Geopolymer science and egyptian pyramids (25 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 2/Part 5 – Principles of alumino-silicate geopolymer (29 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 2/Part 6 – Heat- and fire-resistant geopolymer (12 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 2/Part 7 – Fly ashed-based geopolymer (10 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 2/Part 8 – Durability tests (9 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 2/Part 9 – Geopolymer cement standards / low CO₂ (12 min.)

Webinar 2014 Talk 2/Part 10 – Geopolymer science and roman cement (12 min.)

Join Professor Joseph Davidovits and listen to the Free Geopolymer WEBINAR Spring 2014 (free Web Workshop), April 8-9, 2014, a 2-day talk of 2 hours including 3-4 breaks with Q&A that will cover:

• The impact of geopolymer on your R&D projects, university research, product marketing or industrial practices.
• The fundamental principles and concept of geopolymer science and technology (geopolymer resins, binders and cements, high-tech composites, fire- and heat-resistance materials);
• The major impact of geopolymer chemistry on our global economy in terms of low-energy and low-CO2 production technologies: geopolymer cements, geopolymer ceramics, eco-building, LTGS bricks;

LANGUAGE IS ENGLISH. Each talk is designed in order to encourage fruitful discussions between Prof. Joseph Davidovits (3-4 breaks with Q&A).

During the webinar, we plan 2 sessions for the same day with the same talk and content but with a different time. It will help to connect with people around the world with different time zones. If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

April 8, 2014: first day, 2 hour talk

• Session 1: 07:00 UTC+0 (GMT) for Europe, Africa, Asia (09:00 Paris-Berlin time, 12:30 India, 15:00 China, 15:00 Perth, 19:00 Auckland),
• Session 2: 16:00 UTC+0 (GMT) for Europe and Americas (18:00 Paris-Berlin time, 13:00 Brazil, 12:00 New York, 09:00 Los Angeles).

April 9, 2014: second day, 2 hour talk

• Session 1: 07:00 UTC+0 (GMT) for Europe, Africa, Asia (09:00 Paris-Berlin time, 12:30 India, 15:00 China, 15:00 Perth, 19:00 Auckland),
• Session 2: 16:00 UTC+0 (GMT) for Europe and Americas (18:00 Paris-Berlin time, 13:00 Brazil, 12:00 New York, 09:00 Los Angeles).

Outline of the talk:
The talk 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 presentation, you will be able to make a clear cut between geopolymer technologies and low-tech/alkali-activated systems.

Who shall attend?
Students, scientists, researchers, engineers from public and private organizations, curious or long-term experienced people in their fields of expertise, professionals involved in a wide range of development, including managers, finance specialists, R&D, marketing, business decision makers, technology and products development specialists, etc.

Technical requirements: We will use the GoToWebinar system from Citrix working with many computers (PC, Mac, iOS or Android App), including a fast internet connection, a web browser and the GoToMeeting application that you must install in your computer or your mobile/tablet device. For more information, please verify that you meet the systems requirements for Citrix  GoToMeeting. Before joining the meeting from the e-mail invitation, please join a test meeting to confirm that you are able to successfully join a meeting.

Register Now:

Do not wait to register. You will immediately receive an e-mail with all the details and a personal link to connect to the webinar. More, you will receive 3 reminders by e-mail, one week, one day and one hour before the beginning of each session.

If you have any doubt for the time and date for your country, visit a time zone converter website like this one: thetimenow.com

Privacy statement:

We’ll use this information to keep you informed once or twice a year about news or other plans provided by the Geopolymer Institute, and to gather demographic data yielding visitors statistics. Any information gathered using this form will not be given, sold or traded to anyone outside of the Geopolymer Institute for any reason.
We consider all messages received as confidential because they may contain information that is privileged and exempt from disclosure. We will not transmit to third parties your e-mail address. According to the French law (art. 34 of the law “Informatique et Libertés” ( Computer and Liberty ) 6-jan-1978), you have the right to access, edit, modify and delete all data concerning you. To apply this right, please write us.

We had a strong attendance (ca. 200 registered participants split between the two daily sessions). The videos are genuine tools for those of you who want to learn and increase their knowledge in Geopolymer Science and Technology.

Geopolymer Webinar 2013 Part 1

Video unavailable. Please watch the latest Webinar Video Session at this page.

Geopolymer Webinar 2013 Part 2

Video unavailable. Please watch the latest Webinar Video Session at this page.

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

Prof. Dr. Joseph Davidovits, Nov. 2011

Solid-Phase Synthesis of a Mineral Blockpolymer by Low Temperature Polycondensation

of Alumino-Silicate Polymers: Na-poly(sialate) or Na-PS and Characteristics .

Joseph DAVIDOVITS

INTRODUCTION

The work exposed here comes from an attempt to transfer our knowledge of organic polymers and the technologies associated with it to the yet unknown, or hardly known field of the synthesis and transformation of inorganic polymers, in order to develop new materials and new industrial processes. It is a matter of fact that inorganic materials like glass, ceramics, bricks, concrete, and most natural rocks by far outclass organic polymers with respect to their resistance to high temperature. This study provides an answer to the following question: Could we take mineral materials such as clay, kaolinite, that is to say aluminosilicate polymers, and transform them using the extreme low-temperature polymerisation technology of organic polymers ?”.The answer is : yes, we can. The resulting products have similar characteristics to natural rock‑forming minerals, such as zeolites, feldspathoids and feldspars. These different minerals are usually called silicates or aluminosilicates in the same way as kaolinite, clays, micas, mullite, andalusite, spinel, etc. that is in brief all the minerals whose empirical formula contains Si, AI, O, and any other elements such as H, Na, K, Ca, Mg, etc. For the development of our knowledge and for a better understanding of the mechanism of this new synthesis of inorganic polymers, we felt we had to introduce a more precise terminology.

Click here to see how to download paper nr 20.

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.

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

Use of Inorganic Polymer to Improve the Fire Response of Balsa Sandwich Structures
J. Mat. in Civ. Engrg., Volume 18, Issue 3, pp. 390-397 (May/June 2006)
James Giancaspro, M.ASCE; P. N. Balaguru, M.ASCE; and Richard E. Lyon

Abstract
The study presented in this paper deals with the fire performance of balsa sandwich panels made using inorganic Geopolymer resin and high-strength fiber facings. A thin layer of a fire-resistant paste composed of Geopolymer and hollow glass microspheres was applied to the facings to serve as a protective fire barrier and to improve the fire resistance of the sandwich panels. Using 17 sandwich panel specimens, the primary objective of this program was to establish the minimum amount of fireproofing necessary to satisfy the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for heat and smoke release. The influence of this fireproofing insulation on the increase in mass of the panels was also evaluated. The system is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and a 1.8-mm-thick layer of fireproofing satisfies the FAA requirements for both heat release and smoke emission.

The link to the publication

AFRL is funding and conducting cutting-edge geopolymer research. Both intramural and extramural research has led to the development of new ceramics materials that possess superior properties, leading to more cost-effective choices in the design of future Air Force (AF) structures.

Pechiney developed Geopolymer refractory materials for safe casting of corrosive aluminum/lithium (Al/Li) alloys in liquid state. Source: Pechiney patent

Since 1986, the French aeronautic company Dassault Aviation is using geopolymer mold and tooling in the development of the Rafale fighter plane.
source: Dassault Aviation public research report

In addition, we made for Northtrop Aviation a geopolymer composite tooling prototype (self-heated carbon/SiC/Geopolymite composite) used in the fabrication of carbon/APC2 composite designed for a new US Airforce bomber.

More than a hundred tooling and items has been delivered for aeronautic applications (Airbus) and SPF Aluminum processing. Sources: various annual reports, patents, technical papers.

In the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications these applications are outlined in Chapter 20. You may also go to the Geopolymer Library and download several papers.

Geopolymer insure thermal protection of industrial buildings and facilities up to 1200°C. Hüls AG (Dynamit Nobel) and its licensees, including Willig, have invented the TROLIT-WILLIT material known as the “mineral plastic” involved in the manufacture of:

• Expanded foam
• Monolithic compound
• Composite

Sources: Annual reports. In the recently updated book GEOPOLYMER Chemistry & Applications these geopolymeric applications are outlined in Chapter 22.

Geopolymer composite material for structural or protective applications, temperature range 300°C to 1000°C.

These peculiar materials are now tested and used for their outstanding properties.

During the Grand Prix season 1994 and 1995, Benetton-Renault Formula 1 Sport Car designed a unique thermal shield made out of carbon/geopolymer composite. It helped Michael Schumacher to win twice the world championship and offered to his technical team to become World Champion of car builders during these two years. Still today, most Formula 1 teams are using geopolymer composite materials. A geopolymer-composite exhaust pipe system has been developed by Porsche. Source: Porsche PCT Patent, 2004.

The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.), Rutgers State University, U.S.A., and other Institutions have initiated an evaluation program for these new composite materials. These materials would contribute to be the standard in fire protection for the aeronautic industry. In the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications the fire and heat resistant composite applications are thoroughly outlined in Chapter 21. You may also go to the Geopolymer Library and download several papers.

The First Non-flammable fabric laminate for Aircraft cabin and cargo interiors, geopolymer Composite was introduced on November 18, 1998, in Atlantic City, NJ, USA, at the International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration.

For other Fireproof, Fire Resistant Applications (ship, ferry), see also in GEOPOLY-THERM .

The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.), USA, has recently initiated a research program to develop low-cost, environmentally-friendly, fire resistant matrix materials for use in aircraft composites and cabin interior applications. The flammability requirement for new materials is that they withstand a 50 kW/m² incident heat flux characteristic of a fully developed aviation fuel fire penetrating a cabin opening, without propagating the fire into the cabin compartment. The goal of the program is to eliminate cabin fire as cause of death in aircraft accidents. However, voluntary adoption of the new materials technology by aircraft and cabin manufacturers requires that it be cost effective to install and use, so it is expected that these new aircraft materials will be broadly applicable in transportation and infrastructure where a high degree of intrinsic fine resistance is needed at low to moderate cost. To this end the F.A.A. is evaluating a new, low-cost, inorganic geopolymer matrix derived from the naturally occurring geological materials- silica and alumina. At irradiance levels of 50 kW/m² typical of the heat flux in a well developed fire, glass- or carbon-reinforced polyester, vinylester, epoxy, bismaleinide, cyanate ester, polyimide. phenolic, and engineering thermoplastic laminates ignited readily and released appreciable heat and smoke, while carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites did not ignite, burn, or release any smoke even after extended heat esposure.

In the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications the fire and heat resistant composite applications are thoroughly outlined in Chapter 21. You may also go to the Geopolymer Library and download several papers..

Excerpt from the technical press
Performance Materials,
February 5, 1996, page 5.

As Hot as You Like It

Mechanical Properties are Looking Good for French Inorganic Polymer that Doesn’t Burn.

Fire safety is a concern often voiced by those who are skeptical about the use of composite materials in the infrastructure. These fears may be put to rest by a revolutionary European matrix material that doesn’t burn at all (PM, July 31, 1995). “Fire is going to be the limiting criterion in a lot of infrastructure applications C says Rich Lyon of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Tech Center in Atlantic City. But his ICCI ‘96 presentation about the new family of inorganic polymer composites was almost anticlimactic. “It’s a fairly boring story because there is no fire response,” Lyon said in Tucson.

FAA Is Interested, Too

The inorganic polymeric materials are cheap, at about $2-3 a pound. They cure at low temperatures.
And now there is evidence that the new material family, trade named Geopolymer (or, more precisely, Géopolymère), boasts mechanical properties comparable to those of organic-matrix composites. FAA-supported testing was conducted at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
“The initial results are very encouraging: Prof. P (Bala) Balaguru of Rutgers said at the Tucson infrastructure meeting. Carbon-matrix composites made with the Geopolymer matrix demonstrated a strength of approximately 327 MPa (about 225 ksi), he said, quite comparable to organic composites. “The same thing is true for flex and shear;’ Balaguru said. The Rutgers test coupons were made using 3K, polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber that was manually impregnated and vacuum-bagged for curing in an 80°C (176°F) heated press. The samples were post-cured in an 80°C oven for 24 hours.
Experimenters have thus far made samples only via hand layup, and have been able to achieve fiber loadings of only 50 % (the Rutgers tests were conducted on 45-percent material). At least 60 % is expected when fabrication processes are refined, says the FAA’s Lyon. Problems with voids are also expected to be solved when better fabrication techniques are applied.
“These materials are in their infancy) FAA Lyon says. Geopolymer inventor Joseph Davidovits spent much of his career as a textile chemist and began pursuing inorganic polymers in part, he says, behind a tragedy in France in which the deaths by fire of more than 100 young night club patrons were attributed to fast-burning polyester curtains. Davidovits cites three key Geopolymer attributes his company says “make them superior to ceramics, plastics, and organic composite materials:” (Performance Materials, February 5, 1996).

The First Non-flammable fabric laminate for Aircraft cabin and cargo interiors, Géopolymère Composite was introduced on November 18, 1998, in Atlantic City, NJ, USA, at the International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration. More details in Press Release (see page 3)

Predicted time to flashover in ISO 9705 corner/room fire test with various structural composites as wall materials

Press Release, November 20, 1998
The First Non-Flammable Material for Aircraft Cabin Safety presented at FAA.

Fire Safety Meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

The First Non-flammable fabric laminate for Aircraft cabin and cargo interiors, Géopolymère Composite was introduced on November 18, 1998, in Atlantic City, NJ, USA, at the International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Current aircraft design utilizes several tons of combustible plastics for cabin interior components that includes the passenger compartment, cockpit and cargo compartments. This is a fire load comparable to the equivalent weight of aviation fuel. The recent introduction of fly-by-wire control system as well as the increase of electronics components on an aircraft (such as flat panel displays for TV, telephones and computers) represents a new, higher risk of electrical fires and the potentially tragic consequences of uncontained in-flight fires. The FAA is working to eliminate cabin fire as a cause of death in aircraft accidents. In the unusual event of an aircraft accident, there are only seconds for passengers to escape before toxic fumes and fire fill the cabin compartment.

The FAA flammability requirement for new materials is that they must withstand the 50-kw/m² incident heat flux characteristic of a fully developed aviation fuel fire that penetrates the cabin skin. The material must prevent propagation of the fire into the cabin compartment. The first material to withstand this arduous test is Géopolymère Composite developed by Professor Joseph Davidovits of the Geopolymer Institute in France. Géopolymère Composite is described as an inorganic polymer (a silico-aluminate polysialate polymer) derived from the naturally non-flammable occurring geological materials silica and alumina, hence the name Geopolymer or Géopolymère in French.

Since January 1994, the Federal Aviation Administration has conducted a research and evaluation program on carbon fiber reinforced Géopolymère Composite. Tests were carried out at the FAA Fire Research Section, FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City, NJ and at the Department of Civil Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in collaboration with Prof. Davidovits’ French company, CORDI-Géopolymère SA, Saint-Quentin, France. The FAA experiments indicate that even after exposure to a severe fire environment (more than 1,500°F during several hours), the carbon fiber reinforced Géopolymère Composite retained 63 % of its original flexural strength of 245 Mpa (approximately 169 ksi). In comparison, all materials presently used in an aircraft, including aluminum sheets and parts, organic based laminate composites and plastics, actually burn and are destroyed when submitted to the same severe fire environment.
Aircraft operators and manufacturers are sensitive to cost and cost-effectiveness. Aircraft operators estimate that each pound of weight on a commercial aircraft costs between $100 to $300 in operating expenses over the service life of the aircraft. Consequently, fire safe materials for use in aircraft must be extremely lightweight. With its low density of 1.85, carbon fiber reinforced Géopolymère Composite is lighter than aluminum (density 2.70) and structural steel (density 7.86).

Geopolymer Composite Applications, Fireproof panels, Fireproof Decoration

The patented GEOPOLY-THERM technology is based on the use of geopolymer binders. The effects of fires aboard vessels have been demonstrated as a result of collision between ships and ferries during peace time, and by experiences of the British Navy in the Falkland Islands and the American Navy in the Persian Gulf. The GEOPOLY-THERM technology provides a safe and proven method for fire resistant composite systems.

In addition to the properties investigated by the American Federal Aviation Administration F.A.A. for Aircraft applications, see for more details the development program GEO-COMPOSITE , the GEOPOLY-THERM technology provides excellent fire insulation values. The chemically bounded water – (hydroxyl groups of the poly(sialates) molecules) – induces endothermicity ranging from 400-500 cal./gram of Geopolymer Na-PS [Na-Poly(sialate) Si:Al=1] to 70-100 cal./gram of Geopolymer K-PSDS [K-Poly(sialate-disiloxo) Si:Al=3].

The values of the charts account for panels
dried up at 100°C during 12 hours, before testing.

In opposition to regular commercialized systems based on hydrated compounds (for example aluminum hydroxide hydrates), the values displayed in the figure for GEOPOLY-THERM panels do not include the endothermicity, which usually results from physically absorbed water (<100°C). this physically absorbed water was eliminated during the preliminary extensive 12 hour drying at 100°C. The geopolymer composites of various chemical types may be combined with one another, resulting in complex composite panels suitable for a very wide scope of applications.

GEOPOLY-THERM technology offers:

• Excellent burn-through fire resistance
• No ignitability
• No flammability
• No combustion gases
• No toxicity
• No smoke emanation
• No heat release
• No combustion gas generation

In addition the GEOPOLY-THERM technology may be associated with decorative coatings and skins for fireproof decoration. (more details on Art and Decoration )

GEOPOLY-THERM can be produced with all geopolymer binders. GEOPOLY-THERM provides excellent fire rating properties to organic cores (foam, honey-comb) resulting in various interesting sandwich structures. GEOPOLY-THERM is produced with processes and operation familiar to organic matrix users.

Spectacular technological progress has been made in the last few years through the development of new materials such as ‘geopolymers’, and new techniques, such as ‘sol-gel’. 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 chemistry. High temperature techniques are no longer necessary to obtain materials which are ceramic-like in their structures and properties. These materials can polycondense just like organic polymers, at temperatures lower than 100°C. Geopolymerization involves the chemical reaction of alumino-silicate oxides (Al3+ in IV-fold coordination) with alkali polysilicates yielding polymeric Si-O-Al bonds; the amorphous to semi-crystalline three dimensional silico-aluminate structures are of the Poly(sialate) type(- Si-O-Al-O -), the Poly(sialate-siloxo) type (- Si-O-Al-O-Si-O -), the Poly(sialate-disiloxo) type (- Si-O-Al-O-Si-O-Si-O -).

This new generation of materials, whether used pure, with fillers or reinforced, is already finding applications in all fields of industry. Some examples:

• pure: for storing toxic chemical or radioactive waste, etc.
• filled: for the manufacture of special concretes, molds for molding thermoplastics, etc.
• reinforced: for the manufacture of molds, tooling, in aluminum alloy foundries and metallurgy, etc.

These applications are to be found in the automobile and aerospace industries, non ferrous foundries and metallurgy, civil engineering, plastics industries, etc.

Click here to see how you can download paper number 12.