When you hear the word “finite resources”, chances are the first images that come to mind are fossil fuels, precious metals and the like.
What you probably wouldn’t think of is sand, but you might be surprised to find out that the global supply of this critical resource is potentially under threat due to excessive and sometimes unsustainable mining practices.
This explains why efforts are underway to discourage unsustainable sand mining and find alternative construction materials – something researchers appear to have pulled off.
While carrying out research to find a replacement for sand, scientists at Rice University found that graphene is the perfect substitute. Not only that, but it also makes the concrete lighter, stronger and tougher.
“Initial experiments where metallurgical coke was converted into graphene resulted in a material that appeared similar in size to sand,” said Paul Advincula, lead author of the study.
“We decided to explore the use of metallurgical coke-derived graphene as a total replacement for sand in concrete, and our findings show that it would work really well.”
Graphene’s Impressive Attributes
Graphene is a high-strength material that’s made up of just a single layer of carbon atoms that are arranged in a hexagonal lattice, forming a two-dimensional structure.
Despite being just a single atom thick, graphene is exceptionally strong, boasting a tensile strength that’s 100 times greater than steel! This makes it one of the strongest known materials, while its remarkable strength-to-weight ratio makes it an asset for creating lightweight concrete structures.
So the research at Rice University wasn’t isn’t the first time graphene has been used in concrete production. Graphene is known to be incredibly strong, and it is often added to mixtures to increase durability and strength. However, nobody has ever thought to use graphene to replace sand completely – until now.
Environmental Benefits
As touched on already, good-quality sand that’s suitable for construction is in relatively short supply. Although desert sand is abundant, its grains are too rounded which renders it unsuitable.
Sand used in construction is usually derived from river beds due to its angular grains which bind together well. However, excessive sand mining, along with environmental regulations that limit access to these river sources, has led to concerns about a shortage of suitable construction sand.
Moreover, the overexploitation of riverbeds can cause damage to ecosystems, while extraction can contribute to riverbank erosion and increase the risk of floods, which is already a growing concern.
So with graphene a possible substitute moving forward, this is encouraging news as it should help protect rivers and aquatic life. What’s also promising is that graphene is stronger than sand, and using a material that has strength and durability is crucial in any concrete construction.
What’s also crucial is hiring the right company to carry out your concrete repairs. So if you’re looking for trusted, reliable concrete repair specialists, get in touch with us today!