Another way Graphene increases the compressive strength of concrete is by improving the hydration process of cement. Graphene particles can act as a nucleation site for calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel formation, which is responsible for the strength of concrete. This can accelerate the hydration process and lead to the formation of more C-S-H gel, resulting in higher compressive strength.
With the addition of TUFFREL® - functionalized Graphene, the Compressive Strength of concrete increases tremendously. TUFFREL® refines the microstructure of concrete, enhances the crystalline bonding and also has a filler effect.
Concrete with higher flexural strength is generally considered to be more durable and suitable for applications such as beams, slabs, and other structural elements that experience bending stresses.
TUFFREL® improves the flexural strength of concrete and reduces the need for steel reinforcements in structures. This leads to significant reduction in labor for steel handling and dependence on energy intensive raw materials.
Graphene increases the ductility of concrete, which is its ability to deform before breaking. This can improve the tensile strength of concrete by allowing it to stretch or pull more before breaking. Graphene can reinforce the concrete matrix by acting as a barrier against crack propagation. Graphene sheets can bridge micro cracks that occur within the concrete matrix, thereby improving its resistance to bending or breaking.
TUFFREL® significantly increases the tensile strength of concrete structures. This leads to specialized applications like UHPC for bridges and roads. Higher tensile strength result in thinner & lighter structures which enable more futuristic designs to be created.
TUFFREL® accelerates the strength gain in concrete, thus making the construction time faster and improving site capacity by increasing formwork rotation.
Low water permeability also helps reduce the risk of water infiltration and the subsequent damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles, chemical attack, and corrosion of reinforcing steel. This, in turn, leads to increased durability of the concrete structure.
TUFFREL® reduces the water permeability of concrete thus improving the life of the structure. It reduces the cost of repairs and protects the internal work.
Cement production is the most significant contributor to the CO2 footprint of concrete. The production of cement involves the burning of fossil fuels to heat the kiln, which results in the release of CO2 emissions. Additionally, the chemical process involved in cement production also produces CO2 emissions.
TUFFREL® helps in reduction of cement used in the concrete design without compromising on the durability and mechanical properties of the concrete structure. An M40 grade concrete design would require cement of only M25 design to achieve equivalent strength and properties.