A nanotechnology-driven business under Gerdau S.A., São Paulo, has a developed a line of water-based graphene nanoplate admixtures formulated to reduce portland cement requirements in mix designs and improve finished concrete mechanical performance. The premier Gerdau Graphene product, NanoCONS W104, especially suits precast production and delivers:

- Increased compressive strength. Up to 50 percent in product development phase testing.
- Efficient water management. NanoCONS W104 graphene nanoplates are widely dispersed in mix water during concrete production and can reduce water requirements by 10 to 20 percent while maintaining the same workability as a conventional mix.
- Resilience, greater durability. The admixture improves the microstructure of concrete by reducing its porosity and exposure to deleterious agents.
- Accelerated set times. NanoCONS W104 has been shown to increase concrete setting time rate by an average of 30 percent.
Like other nanotechnology developers focused on carbon atoms forming 2D (plate or platelet) or 3D (nanotube) shapes, Gerdau Graphene seeks to exploit a compound exhibiting tensile strength properties 100 to 300 times greater than structural steel. The company has added the admixture series to its NanoDUR, LAV and CORR plus Poly-G additive lines for paints, coatings and plastics. Gerdau Graphene has emerged under Gerdau Next, a new business unit geared to diversifying the Gerdau S.A. portfolio with products and services adjacent to steel. Gerdau S.A. is the largest steel producer in the Americas and operates 11 mills in the U.S. and Canada.
“The launch of NanoCONS reflects our team’s efforts in research and applied development aimed at solutions for construction, and underscores our commitment to enhancing the performance, durability, and overall sustainability of industrial products,” says Gerdau Graphene Innovation Director Valdirene Peressinotto.
“The development of graphene solutions for the construction sector enriches the ecosystem of the entire company,” adds Gerdau Next Executive Director Elder Rapachi. “We can help complement end-to-end service for our customers, offering innovative graphene technologies in addition to services from other Gerdau Next companies.”