The debate over global warming has led to much discussion on the effect of concrete and carbonation. These two seem to have been singled out as being responsible for the rising levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. One wonders if this is a coincidence if these two factors are somehow linked.
There are several ways in which concrete can affect the world in more ways than one. Let us consider firstly its ability to absorb CO2. There is no doubt that concrete has a natural ability to achieve this, however recent years have seen a gradual increase in its co 2 uptake. This may be attributed to the fact that many countries have adopted stricter building regulations over the past few years. This coupled with the fact that many countries have implemented stricter fuel standards over the last couple of years could be seen as having impacted upon the overall rise in co 2 emissions.
Over the past couple of decades, concrete products have been identified as one of the leading contributors to the increase in co2 emissions. However this does not mean that they are the sole contributors. Steel and asphalt remain to be the main cause. So how can we improve the state of the current situation? Concrete statistics show that there are a number of ways in which the industry can reduce its carbonation level.
One way is by developing new materials. Some of these new materials are being developed right now and as a result are showing much promise. The most promising material at the moment is known as flex Cork. Flex Cork is actually a compound which is formulated with polymers and other compounds such as tungsten. This combines the properties of concrete with the flexibility of flex Cork, which enables the cement to create a more impervious material than usual.
It is believed that the recent Co2 emissions spike may be linked to concrete structures, and with the promise of this new product, it may be possible to curb the Co2 emissions. If you want to know more about how concrete structures can improve their service life, it is important to understand how the material can reduce its service life. The solution here is to improve the quality of concrete products.
One way of improving the quality of concrete products is through the adoption of polymeric coatings. Polymeric coatings can be applied to concrete products either during or after manufacturing. They can resist wear due to weathering, moisture, chemicals and so on. Additionally, they will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the products, e.g. through colour matching. One of the major concerns when using polymeric coatings is whether or not they can withstand weathering.
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