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Self-healing concrete may combat corrosion

Self-healing concrete from Uni SA and UQ may help combat microbially-induced corrosion.

Researchers from The University of South Australia and the University of Queensland have developed self-healing concrete that may use waste to mitigate corrosion in Australia’s sewer pipes.

Professor Yan Zhuge, Professor of Structural Engineering from the University of South Australia, is leading the project that will trial using pipes made from concrete containing microcapsules filled with a mix of alum sludge and calcium hydroxide.

The microcapsules have a pH-sensitive shell that will respond to acidic buildup by breaking own and releasing the contents, which act as healing agents and makes the concrete highly resistant to microbially-induced corrosion.

“This technology will not only extend the lifetime of concrete structures, saving the Australian economy more than $1 billion, but it will promote a circular economy as well by reusing sludge that would normally end up in landfill,” Zhuge said.

This reuse of waste will be essential to the carbon-neutral aspirations of many industry operators.

“Mainland Australia alone has about 400 drinking water treatment plants, with a single site annually generating up to 2000 tonnes of treated water sludge,” said Zhuge. “Most of that is disposed of in landfill, costing more than $6 million each year, as well as causing severe environmental issues.”

Funding for the project includes $501,504 from the Australian Research Council.

 

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