Good day, dear reader!
Unfortunately, the modern construction market is filled with cheap, low-quality analogs. Although manufacturers try to bring the quality of the product as close as possible to the original, they do not do it very well.
Recently, however, engineers at Rice University in America have found an excellent replacement for the cement used to make concrete.
Ash is an alternative to cement, which has good hydraulic activity. This mixture has several advantages, the most important of which are heat resistance and durability. By using ash, repair costs can be significantly reduced. The material in question plays the role of a filler. It has a high class of environmental friendliness, and also helps to improve the structure of concrete.
Ash brick is prepared from the solution. The ash contains calcium oxide. As you know, this substance has excellent cementitious properties. The result is a strong and reliable mixture, suitable for various construction work, including laying bricks. Such masonry will serve for hundreds of years, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to disassemble it.
I always say that everything new is well forgotten old. It would seem that this technology has been used for a long time, but over the years it has been forgotten. Today she got a second life.
Preparing a solution from ash
Cement, which contains ash, surpasses Portland cement in its characteristics. It is noteworthy that it can be made at home: no special technologies and expensive ingredients are required.
The ash solution hardens very quickly. Moreover, it is reliably glued to the work surface.
Here are the components that we need to prepare the solution:
- ash (coal or wood) - 6 liters;
- slaked lime (liquid) - about 4 - 5 liters;
- ordinary salt (coarse or fine) - 800 - 850 grams.
First of all, I advise you to sift the ash, as it contains large particles of debris. Then you need to sift the salt. Mix the prepared dry components well.
Note that the work must be done with gloves. Safety comes first! Pour lime into a container with ash and salt. Do not make sudden movements, everything should be smooth. As a result, you will get a mortar that is similar in consistency to cement.
They can both plaster walls, and lay tiles, and cover up cracks in stoves and fireplaces. Remember that in the latter case, the solution must be smeared on hot stoves so that it holds more reliably and longer.
Also, cement mortar with ash can be used to cover the gaps. To prevent the mixture from shrinking too much, you can add some fine sand to it.
I hope you find this information useful in your life!
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