This blog post is highly relevant for those living in Canada and Alaska who are looking for a low cost replacement for Portland cement. Alaska buys most of their cement from Korea. This video shows how to make geopolymer using dirt cheap local materials, many of which are from industrial waste streams.
“In this video, Cole Sonafrank, assistance director of research ay CCHRC, explains basic ingredients for geopolymer cements and the importance of using locally available materials in Alaska.
Geopolymer cements use waste materials as a binder and are stronger and more sustainable than conventional Portland cements. CCHRC has studied more than 600 recipes of geopolymers made with use fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, from local power plants.
Geopolymers are:
– fireproof and waterproof
– bond strongly to most materials including steel and aggregates
– do not significantly expand or contract
– are foamable and sprayable (good for creating lightweight, insulating walls)
– release 80% less CO2 during production than Portland cement”
*They’re using dirt cheap materials such as fly ash from local power plants, clay, silt, mine tailings such as quartz powder, and lye (caustic soda).
YouTube
Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC)
Geopolymer House Blog