Silica particles graded at nano-scale, where the unit of measure is 1 billionth meter, might be the smallest objects on admixture scientists’ radar, but are on the cusp of becoming one of the most important concrete developments since the mid-1990s advent of polycarboxylate superplasticizers.
Read MoreSources: CP staff; IgniteIP, New York
By Don Marsh
A New York investor announced at World of Concrete (January 18–21, Las Vegas) technology economizing the grinding of fly ash, or secondary grinding of portland cement, to 3- or 1-micron median particle sizes. With $30–75/ton processing plus $20–100/ton raw feed (fly ash, Type I/II portland cement) costs, the technology can yield premium binding agents whose performance properties in concrete and grouts match those of ultra-fine high-reactivity metakaolin or silica fume—typically commanding $300–$700/ton.
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