I’m reading about the advantages of using graphene as an additive for 3DCP.
3DCP, or 3D construction printing, involves extruding concrete layer by layer to form large structures or even buildings. While there’s no such thing as “printing a house in a day”, 3DCP technology often provides some advantages in producing the concrete portions of structures.
The devil is in the details, however. Concrete isn’t simple; it requires careful preparation and testing to ensure it will have the proper strength. That’s because concrete makes up the buildings we inhabit, so it can be a matter of life and death.
3DCP complicates the situation even more, as the structure isn’t poured all at once; it’s built layer by layer. This requires curing to take place at different times, and also involves concrete thin enough to be pumped through the printer, but also strong enough not to immediately collapse upon extrusion.
Some 3DCP companies overcome these challenges with the use of additives of various types.
One that I’m reading about today is graphene. Graphene is simply carbon atoms bonded together in a 2D plane. The atoms are held together extremely strongly, making graphene an incredibly strong material.
Graphene sections can be added to a concrete mix to provide several benefits.
I’m reading a report made by Pristine Graphene, a “connector” organization for graphene use. The company connects buyers, sellers, researchers, and others in the graphene market. They have produced a lengthy page describing how graphene can be successfully used in 3D printing.
In their report, they explain that multiple studies have shown that by adding graphene to a concrete mix, it dramatically increases the strength of the material. This is because the sheets of carbon atoms provide a better way for the cement paste to bond with the loose aggregate in the concrete mix.
Another interesting benefit has to do with CO2 reduction. You may not know this, but eight percent of global CO2 emissions come from the production of cement. This is because limestone must be heated to very high temperatures, which releases CO2 directly into the atmosphere.
The concept with graphene is to reduce the amount of cement required for a given job. Because the graphene strengthens the concrete, you need less of it to meet the requirements. Pristine Graphene writes that the amount can be substantial. They write:
“Research indicates that incorporating graphene can reduce the amount of cement required in concrete by up to 50%, which not only conserves resources but also leads to a substantial decrease in carbon emissions. Studies suggest potential savings of over 1 ton of CO2 per cubic meter of concrete produced.”
They also report a 50% increase in durability of graphene-aided concrete structures.
If all of this sounds good, it is. However, there is one challenge, and it’s a big one: cost. Pristine Graphene explains:
“The cost of graphene presents a significant barrier to its widespread adoption in construction technology, as the production and processing of this advanced material pose economic challenges for many manufacturers, including Building Engineering and Environmental Engineering sectors. Despite the potential long-term savings associated with graphene-enhanced concrete, the initial investment required may dissuade some stakeholders in the construction industry from embracing this innovative solution.”
Finally, Pristine Graphene explained that while quite a bit of research has taken place, there is still the commercialization stage to get through. They suggest that several companies are currently assessing the business case, environmental impact, and regulatory issues surrounding the use of graphene in 3DCP.
It may be that the barriers are resolved and future 3DCP work could use graphene as an additive, leading to better buildings and less CO2.
