To sum-up: Alkali-Activated Materials (AAM) are NOT Polymers, so they cannot be called Geo-Polymers. AAMs are hydrates and Geopolymers are polymers. Geopolymers are NOT a subset of AAM because they are not a calcium hydrate alternative (no NASH, no KASH). Geopolymer is not a hydrate, because water does not participate in the structuration of the material. AAM and Geopolymers belong to two very different and separate chemistry systems (a hydrate/precipitate that is a monomer or a dimer versus a true polymer). Those who claim that both terms are synonyms are promoting a misleading scientific belief. Learn why by watching these four videos.
“Non-activated geopolymers” are the only TRUE geopolymers that provide the excellent properties you are expecting. AAM kills polymeric reaction.

Get an official transcript of the 4 videos, including a DOI for official references and citations, by downloading the technical paper # 25.

Geopolymers vs. AAM: Understanding the Crucial Differences

33 min, 89 MB. Click on the CC icon to ACTIVATE SUBTITLES. Watch it fullscreen.

Buy the “Geopolymer Bundle” Video + Tutorial (click here).

Summary: Geopolymers are not Alkali Activated Materials (AAM).
AAMs are characterized by their hydration process and are not polymers. Therefore, they cannot be called geopolymers. Geopolymers, on the other hand, are polymers and not hydrates. Consequently, the terms NASH or KASH are irrelevant because geopolymers are polymers, not hydrates. It is a significant scientific error to claim that polymers and hydrates are similar. Attempting to create a polymer using the mix design of a hydrate will result in failure (cracking, shrinkage and efflorescence). Conversely, following the kinetics of a polymer when making a geopolymer will result in success.
There is no controversy. You have been misled by people who lack a proper understanding of polymers. You have been faithfully following and copying their wrong mixes and getting bad results.
Everything is proven with solid scientific evidence against fake science.

Video description: This video is an excerpt from a 3-hour workshop on geopolymer processing. Buy the Geopolymer Bundle (click here).
It addresses common misconceptions about geopolymer cements and explains why many attempts to produce geopolymer cements have failed to achieve the superior properties that are often cited in the scientific literature.
The presenters argue that geopolymers are not alkali activated materials (AAM) and highlight the fundamental differences between the two. They emphasize the importance of understanding polymer chemistry for successful formulation.
The video critiques common errors in the scientific literature, particularly those propagated between 2003 and 2019, that have led to confusion in the field. It explains why treating geopolymers as hydrates (NASH or KASH) is incorrect and provides evidence from infrared spectroscopy and the role of water to support this claim.
The presenters emphasize the importance of proper terminology and understanding, pointing out that geopolymers are true mineral polymers, not hydrates or precipitates.
This informative video aims to clear up misconceptions and provide a solid foundation for those interested in working with geopolymer cement, ultimately promoting a better understanding and more successful implementation of this innovative material in construction and engineering.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 AAM are not GP
• 03:53 Geopolymer definition
• 05:06 Example of wrong mixing
• 11:58 Portland cement chemistry
• 12:57 Geopolymer chemistry
• 14:05 Wrong NASH and KASH terminology
• 15:42 Wrong RILEM committee definition
• 17:09 Water to binder ratio proves GP not a hydrate
• 18:35 IR proves GP not a hydrate
• 24:49 AAM are not Polymers
• 25:18 What is activation?
• 27:47 There is no GP activator
• 29:00 Concrete Society classifications
• 30:15 Designing Buildings definitions
• 32:43 GP is a polymer not a hydrate

Other videos

In his four recent keynotes at the Geopolymer Camp 2014, Geopolymer Camp 2015, Geopolymer Camp 2016 and Geopolymer Camp 2017, Prof. J. Davidovits explained why Alkali-Activated-Materials are not Geopolymers, or why alkali-activation is not geopolymerization. We have selected all the sequences that had been dedicated to this issue in the GPCamp-2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 keynotes. These new videos are titled: Why Alkali-Activated Materials are NOT Geopolymers. You will finally understand why they are two different systems.

Part 4 (new 2017): NASH / KASH is an invalid terminology

In 2016, a paper published by a group of scientists determined that there is no presence of NASH or KASH in geopolymer cement (see part 3 below). In this short excerpt, Prof. Joseph Davidovits explains this result by the true polymer nature of geopolymer chemistry. You will learn what true NASH and KASH are, and in which context they are actually used. AAM and geopolymer cement (wrongly shorten by some as “geopolymers”) are two very different and separate chemistry (a hydrate/precipitate that is a monomer or a dimer versus a true polymer). None is a subset of the other or its derivative which leads to confused interpretations.

10 min, 26 MB. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Part 3: AAM are not polymers, so they cannot be called “geopolymers”

Prof. Joseph Davidovits emphasizes the fact that Alkali Activated Materials (AAM) are not polymers, so they cannot be called “geopolymers”. He presents what scientists are now writing about this issue. They now agree with proven facts that it is a big scientific mistake to use AAM and geopolymer as synonyms, and people shall stop doing so. Geopolymer cement is not a CSH derivative; therefore, scientists are now stating that applying the CSH terminology from Portland cement is not only inappropriate, but also calling them NASH and KASH is totally wrong. Those who purposefully use and propagate these misleading languages delude the understanding of the true chemical reactions that really occur (never a hydrate or a gel, but a polymer), resulting in confused interpretations.

27 min, 62 MB. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Part 1 (2014): AAM are not geopolymers, two different chemistries

Prof. J. Davidovits explains the main differences between AAC (Alkali-Activated Cement or Concrete), AAS (Alkali-Activated Slag), AAF (Alkali-Activated Fly Ash) and Slag-based Geopolymer cement, in terms of chemistry, molecular structure, long-term durability. In a second part, on hand of the industrialization of Slag/fly ash-based geopolymer cement/concrete implemented by the company Wagners, Australia, he focuses on the results provided by the carbonation testing data obtained for ordinary Portland cement, AAS and EFC (Slag/fly ash-based geopolymer). The tests were carried out at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology RMIT in Australia. Geopolymer behaves like regular Portland cement, whereas AAS gets very bad carbonation results.

20 min, 46 MB. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

Part 2 (2015): Clarifying statement about all the false ideas and assertions

Prof. J. Davidovits makes a clarifying statement about all the false ideas and assertions written by several alkali activated materials scientists (incorrectly using the word “geopolymer” for marketing purpose in place of AAM) and blindly imitated by others. He explains why it is a true polymer with a well-known and understood chemistry (as opposed to those who claim it is a “gel” of unknown character), mentions the historicity and discovery of geopolymer chemistry, the real contributions of Glukhovsky and what he really wrote about geopolymers. He develops the range of actual industrial applications that goes far beyond cement made out of wastes…

29 min, 67 MB. Click on the icon on the right to watch it fullscreen.

The GeopolymerCamp spans 3 days: Programme 2022.

SPECIAL TOPICS OF INTEREST:
– Tutorial Workshop (short courses) for Newcomers, on Monday;
– 3 Focused Sessions:
1- Breakthrough in Renewable production of Electricity in Large Scale Microbial Fuel Cells with Conductive Geopolymers.
2- Geopolymer concrete for Solar Electrical Power Generation.
3- Geopolymer science applied to Archaeology: the 6000 year old European megalithic structures.

Every year, we invite you to join the Geopolymer Institute for the largest, most comprehensive international conference devoted to Geopolymer technologies, the 14th GeopolymerCamp 2022, at the University of Picardie, Campus of Saint-Quentin, North of Paris, France, on July 4th to 6th 2022.

Please, take a look at the GEOPOLYMER CAMP web page for the programme and to register:
GeopolymerCamp Main Page (click on the link)
(or in French at GeopolymerCamp Page Principale )

Registration IS sold out.

We opened a waiting list in case of cancellation (click on Contact in the Menu).
70 participants maximum allowed for GP-Camp and 45 for Workshop/Tutorial.

As of today’s sanitary instructions, wearing a mask and social distance rules are mandatory. Full vaccination is recommended.
Because of this exceptional situation, you will get a full refund if we have to cancel the event or if you are forbidden to travel to France at the last minute.

SPECIAL TOPICS OF INTEREST:
– Tutorial Workshop (short courses) for Newcomers, on Monday;
– Focused Sessions (to be confirmed) : “Mechano-chemistry of dumped and piled fly ash” .

Every year, we invite you to join the Geopolymer Institute for the largest, most comprehensive international conference devoted to Geopolymer technologies, the 13th GeopolymerCamp 2021, at the University of Picardie, Campus of Saint-Quentin, North of Paris, France, on August 30-31, September 1st.

Please, take a look at the GEOPOLYMER CAMP web page for the programme and to register:
GeopolymerCamp Main Page (click on the link)
(or in French at GeopolymerCamp Page Principale )

]]> https://www.geopolymer.org/news/a-continent-in-on-fire-stop-promoting-fly-ash-based-cements/ Sun, 12 Jan 2020 19:43:43 +0000 https://www.geopolymer.org/?p=5052 A continent is on fire. 

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.

Development of room temperature hardening for fly ash-based geopolymer cements and concretes.

When compared with alkali-activated, heat-cured conventional methods, the slag/fly ash-based geopolymer cement technologies, which harden at ambient temperature, provide better properties: higher strength, safer long-term durability and lower leachates.

CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1 Conventional Method: Alkali-Activation, Dissolution And Zeolite Formation: User-Hostile
2.2 Geopolymeric Method: Room Temperature Hardening, Polycondensation, User-Friendly.
3. Results And Discussion
3.1 Compressive Strength
3.2 X-Ray Diffraction
3.3 Leaching Properties
3.4 (Ca,K)-Based Geopolymer Matrix: Composition And Structure
References

Click here to see how to download paper nr 22.

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.

Prof. Joseph DAVIDOVITS

CONTENT

1. Introduction
2. Portland cement chemistry vs Geopolymer cement chemistry
   2.1 Alkali-activated materials vs Geopolymer cements.
   2.2 User-friendly alkaline-reagents
3. Geopolymer cement categories
   3.1 Slag-based geopolymer cement
   3.2 Rock-based geopolymer cement
   3.3 Fly ash-based geopolymer cements
   3.4 Ferro-sialate-based geopolymer cement
4. CO2 emissions during manufacture
   4.1 CO2 emission during manufacture of Portland cement clinker
   4.2 Geopolymer Cements Energy Needs and CO2 emissions
      4.2.1 Rock-based Geopolymer cement manufacture involves:
          4.2.1.1 Energy needs
          4.2.1.2 CO2 emissions during manufacture
      4.2.2 Fly ash-based cements Class F fly ashes
5. Properties for Rock-based geopolymer cement (Ca,K)-poly(sialate-disiloxo)
6. The need for standards
References

Click here to see how to download paper nr 21.

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

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

Geopolymers are being investigated as an alternative to traditional cement materials and for waste remediation of hazardous substances.

Previously the high calcium level of fly ash had caused problems with accelerated setting times. The new process has overcome this difficulty making fly ash a serious contender for the manufacture of geopolymers.

h4. We’d like to hear from you

We are interested in hearing from anyone who may have another potential application for this new process or who has another industrial by-product which could have value added to it.

h4. For more information

David Johnson
Business Development Manager
Phone: +64 4 931 3781
Mobile: +64 21 193 1112
Email: d.johnson # irl.cri.nz

See the dedicated page here

The first report: Report GC 2 is dealing with the long term properties. It has been included in the Technical Paper #17 in the Library, in addition to the previous report GC 1.

The second : Report GC 3 describes the properties of Beams and Columns. It is named Technical Paper #18 in the Library.

Published in The Indian Concrete Journal, April 2014, Vol. 88, Issue 4, pp. 41-48, 50-59.

Professor Vijay Rangan is Australia Mr. Concrete. He presents here a review on the extensive studies conducted on fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. Salient factors that influence the properties of the geopolymer concrete in the fresh and hardened states are identified. Test data of various short-term and long-term properties of the geopolymer concrete are then presented. The paper describes the results of the tests conducted on large-scale reinforced geopolymer concrete members and illustrates the application of the geopolymer concrete in the construction industry. Some recent applications of geopolymer concrete in the precast construction and the economic merits of the geopolymer concrete are also included.

It is the complement of previous Research Reports GC1 and GC2 that covered the development, the mixture proportions, the short-term properties, and the long-term properties of low-calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concrete, see paper #17 .

The study demonstrated that the design provisions contained in the Australian Standard for Concrete Structures AS3600 and the American Concrete Institute Building Code ACI318-02 are applicable to reinforced Fly ash-based geopolymer concrete columns.

Click here to see how you can download paper number 18.

• Khon Kaen University, Sustainable Infrastructure Research and Development Center, (SIRDC),
• Thai Geopolymer Network
• Thai Concrete Association

and will be held on 24-25 May, 2006 at Sofitel Raja Hotel, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

The program on Geopolymer includes :

• Development of geopolymer
• Use of different stock feeds such as fly ash, claimed clay, rice husk ash
• Bridging the concrete gaps-advantages of geopolymer
• Early commercial products
• Sustainability, etc.

Download the program at the Internet site

A recent Technical Paper #24 denounces the false values on CO₂ emission published in several scientific papers. See at “False CO₂ values published in scientific papers“.

Geopolymer cement is often mixed up with alkali-activated slag. The later was developed since 1956 in the former USSR (now Ukraine) by G.V. Glukhovsky. Alkali-activation, which is generally performed with corrosive chemicals (see below User-friendly), is used for the making of concretes exclusively. The alkali-activated materials are not manufactured separately and not sold to third parties as commercial cements. On the opposite, geopolymer technology was from the start aimed at manufacturing binders and cements for various types of applications.

A video stresses the major differences between alkali-activated materials/alkali-activated construction materials and geopolymers, go to  “Why Alkali-Activated Materials are NOT Geopolymers?“

For detailed information on Fly Ash based Geopolymer Cements and Concretes see in the Library the Technical paper #22 at GEOASH: fly ash-based geopolymer cements as well as the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications, Chapters 12, 24 and 25, and the results of the European Research project GEOASH in the next section. You may also go to the Geopolymer Library and download several papers, for example #21 Geopolymer cement review 2013, #22 GEOASH, #23 GP-AIRPORT.

In this section we are developing:
a) The recent industrial development of geopolymer concrete (100,000 tonnes and +)
b) The User-friendly geopolymer cement concept.

100,000 tonnes of Geopolymer Concrete for Airport + Eco-building

Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport (BWWA), Toowoomba, Queensland, is Australia’s first greenfield public airport to be built in 48 years. BWWA became fully operational with commercial flights operated by Qantas Link in November 2014. See our News dated of October 14, 2014, 70,000 tonnes Geopolymer Concrete for airport.

This project marks a very significant milestone in engineering – the world’s largest geopolymer concrete project. BWWA was built with approximately 40,000 m³ (100,000 tonnes) of geopolymer concrete making it the largest application of this new class of concrete in the world. The geopolymer concrete developed by the company Wagners, known as Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC), was found to be well suited for this construction method due to its high flexural tensile strength, low shrinkage and workability characteristics. Heavy duty geopolymer concrete, 435 mm thick, used for the turning node, apron and taxiway aircraft pavements, welcomes a heavy 747 cargo for regular air traffic between Toowoomba-Wellcamp BWWA airport and Hong Kong. For technical details read the paper by Glasby et al. (2015), EFC Geopolymer Concrete Aircraft Pavements at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, in our Library, Technical paper #23 GP-AIRPORT. Technical Paper on Geopolymer Aircraft Pavement.

Prof. Joseph Davidovits’ visit to the Toowoomba-Wellcamp-Airport.

On October 3, 2015, Joseph and Ralph Davidovits flew from Sydney Airport to Toowoomba-Wellcamp-Airport, for a visit to the company Wagners.

Prof. Joseph Davidovits’ visit to the Global Change Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

On October 7, 2015, Joseph and Ralph Davidovits drove with Tom Glasby and Russell Genrich, company Wagners, from Toowoomba to Brisbane. Our News dated December 10, 2013, was titled World’s first public building with structural Geopolymer Concrete. It introduced the world’s first building to successfully use geopolymer concrete for structural purposes, the Global Change Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The 4 story high building, for general public use, comprises 3 suspended geopolymer concrete floors involving 33 precast panels. They are made from slag/fly ash-based geopolymer concrete coined Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC), a Wagners brand name for their commercial form of geopolymer concrete.

Mass Production of Geopolymer Cement

At the Geopolymer Camp 2009 at Saint-Quentin, France, Prof. Joseph Davidovits presented a keynote on “Practical Problems on Mass Produced Geopolymer Cement”. What are the key issues and what are the dead ends? What to do to make a cement that reduces the CO₂ emission by 60 up to 80%?

J. Davidovits’ Keynotes at Geopolymer Camp 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 contain additional information. Go to Keynotes of the Geopolymer Camp.

In the recently updated book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications several chapters are dedicated to geopolymer , metakaolin-based, rock-based and fly ash-based cements and concretes, see in Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24 and 25. You may also go to the Geopolymer Library and download several papers.

If we compare in a microscope the structure of mortar made of regular cement with another sample made of geopolymer, we notice that the regular cement is a coarse stacking of grains of matter. This causes cracks and weaknesses. On the opposite, geopolymer cement (in black) is smooth and homogeneous. This provides, in fact, superior properties.

User-friendly geopolymer cements

Although geopolymerization does not rely on toxic organic solvents but only on water, it needs chemical ingredients that may be dangerous and therefore requires some safety procedures. Material Safety rules classify the alkaline products in two categories:

• corrosive products
• irritant products

The two classes are recognizable through their respective logos displayed below.

The Table lists some alkaline chemicals and their corresponding safety label. The corrosive products must be handled with gloves, glasses and masks. They are User-hostile and cannot be implemented in mass applications without the appropriate safety procedures. In the second category one finds Portland cement or hydrated lime, typical mass products. Geopolymeric mixes belonging to this class may also be termed as User-friendly.

When, in 1983 at the Central Laboratory of the American company Lone Star Industries, we started the research on geopolymer cements (Pyrament cement), we decided to select alkaline conditions that are User-friendly. (Na,K,Ca)-Poly(sialate-siloxo) and K-Poly(sialate) products (resins, binders and cements) have starting molar ratio SiO₂:M₂O ranging from 1.45 to 1.85. Unfortunately, this is not followed by other scientists and technicians involved in the development of so-called alkali-activated-cements, especially those based on fly ashes, with molar ratio in average below 1.0. Looking only at low-costs consideration, not at safety and User-friendly issues, they propose systems based on pure NaOH (8M or 12M). For example in a “State of the Art” on alkali-activated fly-ash cements, wrongly named geopolymer technology, published in 2007, several scientists claimed that the pure NaOH system should be considered as the reference for fly-ash-based cements (see: Duxson P., Fernandez-Jimenez A., Provis J.L., Lukey G.C., Palomo A. and van Deventer J.S.J., Geopolymer technology: the current state of the art, J. Mater. Sci., 42, 2917-2933, 2007). These are User-hostile conditions for the ordinary labor force employed in the field.

Finally, companies refuse to support the liability and pay high insurance fees based on such out-of-date processes. Indeed, laws, regulations, and state directives push to enforce for more health protections and security protocols for workers’ safety. Further details on fly-ash-based geopolymer cement in the page GEOASH, a project aimed to develop a real industrial process driven by these constraints.