Strong and Lightweight Building Material Invented
[taken from http://www.spacemart.com/]
by Staff Writers
Sydney (UPI) Jul 31, 2006
Australian university researchers have developed a strong, lightweight building material they believe might sell well in nations such as China and India. Coal-burning power plants in China and India generate millions of tons of fly ash each year, spending millions of dollars disposing of the fine powder that’s loaded with toxic chemicals.
Yet, Obada Kayali and Karl Shaw of the University of New South Wales note in the Middle East there are very few coal fired power stations and an acute shortage of durable building materials because of the lack of suitable clay, aggregate and sand. That, they said, creates a market for high-quality, light-weight building materials.
The scientists have developed bricks and building aggregate that can be manufactured entirely from waste fly ash and save on construction costs.
The product is 28 percent lighter and 24 percent stronger than comparable clay bricks, resulting in lighter structures, shallower foundations, cheaper transportation, and less usage of cement and steel reinforcement.
The technology been licensed in the British and U.S. markets. The researchers are now seeking interest from companies wanting to develop t
he technology for China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe and India.
