Ferrock is an environmentally friendly construction material used as a cement substitute. It is produced mainly from recycled materials such as waste steel dust and silica from ground-up glass. The steel dust reacts with carbon dioxide to produce iron carbonate, which becomes ferrock after solidification.
The hardening process occurs when the mixture of steel dust and silica is blended with ferrous rock and water and exposed to a high concentration of carbon dioxide.Â
The strength of ferrock is five times that of concrete made from ordinary Portland cement. It is also more flexible and capable to withstand greater compression stresses due to seismic forces compared with conventional concrete.
Ferrock Components
- Iron-rich ferrous rock
- Waste steel dust
- Silica from ground-up glass
Characteristics
- The strength of ferrock is five times the concrete strength. It is commonly between 34.5 Mpa to 48 Mpa, and some ferrock tests reached 69 Mpa. Â
- Ferrock has greater flexibility than conventional concrete. That is why it sustains movement and pressure without cracking.
- It bears more compression load caused by seismic forces when compared with concrete.
- Fresh ferrock sets quickly and requires around a week to reach ultimate strength.
Advantages
- Around 95% of ferrock constituents are recycled materials.
- It absorbs carbon dioxide during production, which is completely opposite to cement made from chalk and clay.
- Ferrock is suitable for marine-based projects because ferrock is relatively chemically inactive. Additionally, marine salt increases the strength of ferrock.
- It is economical for small projects.
- Ferrock is resistant to oxidation, ultraviolet radiation, corrosion, chemicals, rotting, and rust, making it an exceptional material for constructing pipes and tubes.
Disadvantages
- Ferrock becomes uneconomical for large projects like roads and highways because the supply of materials required to produce ferrock is limited. Â
- The major components of ferrock are silica and waste steel dust, a byproduct of other industries. If ferrock becomes a mainstream construction material, the cost of its constituents can rise and make ferrock production expensive.Â
Applications
- Ferrock is approved to be utilized in slabs, bricks, sidewalks, paves, breakwaters, and walls.
- It is suggested to implement it in pilot projects within marine environments.Â
FAQs
Ferrock is an environmentally friendly construction material used as a cement substitute.
Ferrock is produced mainly from recycled materials such as waste steel and silica from ground-up glass. The steel dust reacts with carbon dioxide to produce iron carbonate, which becomes ferrock after solidification.
Ferrock requires around a week to achieve its ultimate strength.
Carbon dioxide is used to cure ferrock.
Ferrock is approved to be utilized in slabs, bricks, sidewalks, paves, breakwaters, and walls.
Yes, ferrock absorbs CO2.
One of the exceptional characteristics of ferrock is that it becomes stronger in a marine environment.
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