Inspired by natural materials, scientists have developed a new type of concrete that is 17 times more resistant to cracking. This innovative concrete aims to make cement, one of the world’s most common building materials, more durable and safe.
New durable concrete inspired by nature
The new type of concrete mimics the structure of abalone and oyster shells. According to research published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, scientists hope that this new concrete can be used to create more durable, safe and long-lasting building materials.
This new concrete, which is more resistant to cracking, uses hexagonal cement plates and a thin polymer, increasing its capacity to deform and stretch without breaking by 19 times.
It is important for concrete to be able to stretch under pressure because this makes it less brittle and thus 17 times less susceptible to cracking.
The researchers think they can also apply this method to other fragile ceramic materials, such as porcelain. Considering how delicate porcelain is, imagine how big of an improvement this will be.
The new crack-resistant concrete was inspired by a material found in nature known as nacre or mother-of-pearl. Mother of pearl is found within certain shells and when examined at the microscopic level, it appears to consist of hexagonal tablets glued together with biopolymer. This structure makes the shells stronger into a single solid object.
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The researchers state that they not only want to imitate what nacre does in nature, but also learn these principles and investigate how they can be used in the engineering of man-made materials. In this way, it will be possible to create stronger materials in the future.
New crack-resistant concrete has the potential to revolutionize the concrete industry. This innovation could be an important step in building safer and longer-lasting structures. Increasing the durability of concrete not only reduces construction costs but also paves the way for more sustainable and environmentally friendly structures.