Eco-cement
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Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 03 00 00
Traditional uses
- Used for building and construction purposes
- Walkways and road surfaces
Emerging uses / trends
- Eco-Cement is a product developed by Australian company, TecEco, that can bring about dramatic reduction in the release of CO2 into our atmosphere.
- According to the developer and owner of TecEco, John Harrison, Eco-Cement turns “virtually any solid waste” into concrete—a great way to reduce landfill junk.
- In addition to reducing landfill, the substitution of magnesite, instead of calcium used in traditional cement, allows for much lower furnace temperatures. This saves energy, plus Eco-Cement absorbs CO2 while setting, and for years after.
- Eco-Cement creates a pervious pavement surface which mimics nature. The pervious pavement allows the earth to breathe, take in water and be healthy.[1]
Finish and aesthetic qualities
- Depending on the aggregate used, Eco-cement is available in a variety of colors and shades.
Surface forms / shapes
- Can be poured or shaped in to various forms using molds.
- Available as concrete blocks/ bricks
Cost analysis
- 1-55 lbs bag, or approx. 25 kg = approx. $22 USD
Material properties
Primary structural use
- Walls, Flooring, Road surfaces
Material performance
- Highly durable and strong building material.
- Not quite as strong as traditional Portland cement
Dimensional and opening restriction
- Eco-Cement can be poured into various shapes and is limited only by the ability to construct formwork to support the concrete while it cures.
- Openings can also be custom cut in existing cement areas.
Acoustic property
- Eco-Cement is a porous concrete, therefore it absorbs sound better than traditional cement.
Manufacturing process and assembly
- Eco-Cement is manufactured By Tec-eco by heating Magnesite (a compound of magnesium)in a kiln to around 600 to 750 degrees C (1100 - 1350 F). Approximately half the temperature reqired for portland cement.
- The lower firing temperature of the Tec-Kiln makes it easier to use free energy such as wind or solar or even waste energy.
- The heating process produces reactive magnesium oxide (magnesia).
- The reactive magnesia (powder) is added to a pre-determined, but variable amount of hydraulic cement such as Portland cement, and if desired, supplementary cementitious materials like fly ash. The resulting blended powder is Eco-Cement.
- When mixed with water and aggregates such as sand, gravel and wastes, Eco-Cement concretes are ready for pouring into concrete, pressing into blocks or other uses.
Environmental impact
- By replacing the calcium with magnesite, much lower furnace temperatures can be used, saving energy, plus Eco-Cement absorbs CO2 while setting, and for years after. Compared with Portland cement, it is more resistant to salt, acid and chlorine corrosion and at the end of its lifespan it is easier to recycle into new cement products. [2]
- Eco-cements can also include up to 95% recycled industrial waste materials such as fly ash and blast furnace slag in their formulation.[3]
- Eco-cements have a very low carbon emissions and tec-eco will soon begin to manufacture the product using carbon capture rather than fossil fuel, then product will actually be carbon negative. The fact that the concrete is so porous allows for more CO2 to be absorbed into the cement, creating a carbon sink. [4]
References
Notes
- ↑ http://www.tececo.com/products.porecocrete.php
- ↑ http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/ecocement_remov.php
- ↑ http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/ecocement_remov.php
- ↑ http://www.tececo.com/technical.porecocrete.php?print
Student contributions
- Rania Makkas, Spring 2008
See also
Similar materials
Building references
- Earthship Brighton, UK. The world's first Eco-Cement home with Eco-Cement floors and mortars.
External links
Additional resources
Leading manufacturers
- Tec-eco website
