Graphene admixtures launched for pre-cast concrete

Brazilian nanotechnology engineering company, Gerdau Graphene, has unveiled its latest product – NanoCONS. This line of graphene admixture solutions has been specifically designed for the construction industry and will enable concrete producers to leverage the physical properties of graphene to improve the mechanical performance of their concrete products.

It is believed that the integration of NanoCONS into cementitious materials may also reduce carbon emissions associated with concrete production, by up to 20%, according to a study. The product minimises cement consumption without compromising performance says the manufacturer.

The NanoCONS product is the latest addition to Gerdau Graphene's portfolio of graphene-enhanced concrete admixtures which already includes NanoDUR, NanoLAV, and NanoCORR for paints and coatings and Poly-G, the world’s first commercially-produced graphene additives for the plastics industry.

Speaking about the new product, Valdirene Peressinotto, executive and innovation director at Gerdau Graphene, said: "The launch of the NanoCONS line reflects our team’s efforts in research and applied development aimed at developing industry-leading solutions for the construction industry and underscores our commitment to enhancing the performance, durability, and overall sustainability of industrial products."

Of the new line up, the first product to launch is the NanoCONS W104, a water-based graphene nanoplate admixture that can be applied to cementitious matrices such as cement pastes, mortars, and concretes. This will improve durability, mechanical strength and impermeability and has been developed for application in precast concrete. It offers the follow properties:

• Increased mechanical strength: NanoCONS W104 improves the compressive strength performance of concrete by up to 50% in industrial testing. As a result, reinforced precast concrete structures like bridges and buildings can bear more weight and withstand more force.
• Efficient water management and associated cost reduction: NanoCONS W104 is dispersed in the mixing water during concrete production and can contribute to reducing water consumption by 10% to 20% while maintaining the same workability, thereby saving on water-related costs.
• Enhanced durability: NanoCONS W104 improves the microstructure of concrete by reducing its porosity and susceptibility to deleterious agents (like CO2 and chloride ingress). This extends the lifespan of concrete and ensures concrete resilience even in challenging environments.
• Faster-drying concrete: NanoCONS W104 has been shown to increase the speed of concrete setting time by an average of 30%. In industrial studies, setting time was reduced from 18 hours to 12 hours, enabling faster construction.

Gerdau Graphene is a Gerdau Next company, Gerdau's new business unit created with the aim of diversifying the company's portfolio with products and services in several segments adjacent to steel.