Ecocem Superfine is a finer grade of Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) designed to be used as a specialist additive in binders, all dry-mortar applications, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), and precast concrete, in order to reduce carbon emissions, improve rheology, strength, and durability.
Developed by grinding Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GBS) to a very fine particle size, Superfine can be added to products to significantly enhance a range of performance criteria. Superfine is a white powder that can be used to improve the finish of concrete and reduce the amount of pigment required, improve the surface finish, especially in comparrison to silica fume and ordinary Portland cement (OPC).
Benefits
Superfine is ground to such a high particle size that its improved reactivity can be an aid in boosting the GGBS component of material formulations resulting in increased early age and final strength.
It is used to increase the strength of a variety of applications, particularly those that already contain GGBS. The increase fines content in the microstructure of material formulations also promotes increased durability and can be used to improve the performance of several products without negative impact on rheology of mortar and concrete mixes, allowing for a 30% reduction in the amount of plasticiser required.
Due to its decreased pH and Chromium VI level, Superfine is less irritating, making it a safe and useful component for building material formulations.
Superfine case study
Ecocem conducted comprehensive testing in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to compare the performance of Superfine with silica fume in high performance concrete to better understand and develop Superfine.
The results of these tests revealed that Superfine can be substituted for Silica Fume to attain higher performance as outlined in image 1.
Embodied carbon
The reduction of embodied carbon associated with concrete can be done in several ways. Most commonly, high carbon clinker is replaced by extra cementitious materials such as pulverised fuel ash or GGBS.
This is a relatively straightforward method which reduces the embodied carbon while meeting the performance needs of the concrete element. With the same low carbon footprint as standard grade GGBS, Superfine will also contribute to the low carbon status of any concrete that includes it.
Superfine boasts a carbon footprint of 32kg CO2 per tonne and a certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Future of concrete
Reducing the section sizes of precast concrete products is one of the possibilities being considered by producers as they evaluate their options for the manufacturing of sustainable concrete. This reduction in concrete volume can result in carbon savings, but it necessitates the use of high performance or ultra-high performance concrete to retain required strength.
In order to achieve UHPC, additives are required, with silica fume being the most common ingredient used. Superfine has proved the capacity to achieve the needed performance parameters without negatively impacting the mix's rheology while preserving a light-colored concrete.
Superfine will be officially launched throughtout Eurpoe in September and Ecocem will be engaging in trials across a range of applications with any interested parties.
You can register you interest with our technical team at Ecocem Ireland and find out how Superfine can benefit you.