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    • EMC VOLCANICS
      • Volcanics Primer
      • Validation
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      • Climate Primer
      • Net Zero Challenge
      • The Scale of Concrete
      • The EMC Difference
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  • WELCOME
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  • EMC VOLCANICS
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Product Performance

Improved durability reduces maintenance costs

The more EMC Volcanics replace the Portland cement in the concrete mix, the more durable the resulting concrete!  


EMC Volcanics can replace 70% OPC in concrete, at a total cement of less than 300 kg/m3 (500 lbs/cu·yd) yet still meet the strengths required by >90% of the Ready Mix market!


Click here or on the picture above to see our movie "Trajectory"...

The picture above? A real EMC installation from Texas U.S.A.

Yes, that's right. And it happens to be on the Katy Freeway in Texas, which at its widest point, is 26 lanes ... making it the widest highway in the whole of the United States. By 2011, on average over 275,000 vehicles travelled on it every day!

What 70% replacement means...

A. The record-breaking context:

As recent studies have confirmed elsewhere, the typical maximum OPC replacement using Natural Pozzolans (volcanic materials) is at most only 20% (PDF here). In contrast? We're talking 70%!

B. Historical Context:

After all, the Romans invented the words 'cement' and 'concrete'. More than 2000-yrs' ago, it was demonstrated that concrete made with natural pozzolans deliver exceptional durability. For example, Rome's Pantheon is still standing after almost 2000-yrs — and with still the largest non-reinforced dome in the world (here). Then there's Hagia Sophia (here), which has not only withstood mutiple earthquakes, but for nearly 1000-yrs was the largest church in the entirety of Christendom and among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. As stated in a monograph elsewhere (PDF here):


"Pozzolanic mortars are cementitious materials first used by the Greeks around 1500 BC ... Hydraulic mortars are exceptionally durable to long-term static (structural) and dynamic (earthquake) stresses, as evidenced by the durability of various monuments utilizing these materials (e.g., Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, and the medieval castle in Rhodes, Greece). Their durability was related to their hydraulicity and the nature of hydration products. In addition, hydraulic mortars are more resistant to sulfate attack compared to modern Portland cement, which has a limited life of approximately 70 years in marine and heavily polluted atmospheres."


This indisputable superlative is exploited by EMC Volcanics...

C. Astonishing durability:

The simple rule of thumb? The more Portland cement is replaced with Natural Pozzolans, the more the concrete's durability is enhanced. This is a well-observed phenomenon.


Why? Porosity is transformed into hard and impermeable (relatively non-reactive) compounds, rather than the porous, soft and relatively reactive chalk produced using Portland cement. Using EMC Volcanics increases the replacement ratio — therefore increasing this effect.   


  • For example, in common with Natural Pozzolan concretes elsewhere, many of the end products of EMC Volcanics' chemistry exhibit a hardness >7.0 on the Mohs scale. 


  • The "self healing" capabilities exhibited by EMC Volcanics also contribute to enhanced field-application durabilities where mechanical stresses may be present (see bottom-most section on this page below).  


For example, the resistance of Hagia Sophia to earthquakes through the millenia has been attributed to the pozzolanic nature of the mortar used in its construction (PDF here):


"Structural studies to determine the earthquake worthiness of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul have proved that the monument’s static and dynamic behavior depends very strongly on the mechanical, chemical and microstructural properties of the mortars and bricks used for the masonry...allowing the structure to absorb energy without affecting irreversibly its material properties. The determination of the mortar properties indicated that they are of considerable mechanical strength and longevity. The dated mortar samples examined proved to be resistant to continuous stresses and strains due to the presence of the amorphous hydraulic formations."

D. Third-party testing as confirmation (see further section below):

  • At 55% OPC replacement: EMC Volcanics hit 14,000 psi / 96 Mpa in 28 days using a 365 kg/m3 (615 lbs/cu·yd) total cement dose.  


  • At 55% OPC replacement: EMC Volcanics hit 10,150 psi / 70 Mpa in 28 days using a 300 kg/m3 (500 lbs/cu·yd) total cement dose.  


  • At 70% OPC replacement: EMC Volcanics hit 11,500 psi / 79 Mpa in 28 days using a 350 kg/m3 (590 lbs/cu·yd) total cement dose.

E. The EMC Technology effect is proven beyond doubt:

The "step-change" between the EMC method vs. orthodox grinding methods has been proven well beyond doubt. In independent tests conducted in 2021 by a major OPC producer, EMCs showed an additional 35% strength gain over and above the same raw material like-for-like treated using only orthodox grinding methods instead ... even at the high water doses as mandated in EN 196-1.

F. We've also solved the so-called "workability paradox" of NPs:

Paradox? What paradox? Having solved workability doesn't just mean EMC Volcanics can be used in large-scale projects. No! For us, it means we've solved the paradox that acts as the self-limiting characteristic that has always plagued volcanics. Simply put: it means we've solved the nascent water demand issue.


This is why we've focused on workability for over 25 years: Water dosage can be reduced without clogging. And upon reducing the water dose—made possible precisely because EMC Technology solves the workability issues associated historically with volcanics—the results are phenomenal!

G. A simple 1-to-1 mass-parity with Portland cement:

No complicating arithmetic is needed. EMC Volcanics meet the productivity needs of today's construction industry even at OPC replacement levels >50%, yet without having to overdose the total cement in the concrete mix. On a strictly 1-to-1 basis by mass.


It's just a straight swap-out. We call this feature "parity". It means no 'cheating' either (for example, by making-up for a lack of strength-development by increasing the overall total cement dosage). Yay!

H. Higher cement doses? Scalability is no problem either:

Are we sure of the enhanced workability even at higher cement doses? Yes. Independent tests at 70% OPC replacement set out below are rated at a higher 350 kg/m3 (590 lbs/cu·yd) total cement in the concrete — which is only the average cementitious content used by the industry anyhow. 


You need only ask how much strength development does the project need. As tests conducted by BASF show, EMC Volcanics can swap-out the majority of the OPC and still hit 96 MPa / 14,000 psi in 28 days. What? Yes, that's right: at a total cement dose of 365 kg/m3 (564lbs/cu·yd), EMCs even hit 62 MPa (9,000) psi after just 7 incredible days. So, we'll say that again: 7 incredible days! Yes?

I. Lean cement doses are fully-supported too:

95% of the European ready-mix market is served by strength-class C35 or less. That's right, at least according to correspondence we've exchanged with the UK's Mineral Products Association. Hence, there's the scope to reduce the total cement dose to 275 kg/m3 for that 95% market-segment.


Super A++ CO2-ratings. The good news? EMC Volcanics can swap-out 70% OPC at 275 kg/m3 total cement dosage and make that C35 strength-class without infringing parity. And because EMCs comprise zero CO2 process-emissions, this leads to a superb CO2-rating based on I.C.E. thresholds, with the energy-need slashed. So, why's that important? Visit our ratings page here to learn more...


Most of all? It means over 25-yrs' technical innovation now accounts for this:

<<< Durability | Performance | Strength | Parity | Scalability | Workability >>>

Regular Pumping | No Strain | No Clogging

 For concrete contractors, EMC Volcanics perform like a dream every time 

Significant increase of long-term strength & durability, including:

  • Reduced Permeability & Leachability
  • Reduction in Alkali-Silica Corrosion
  • Increased Sulfate- & Chloride-Ion Resistance (e.g. Salt Water Corrosion) 
  • Significantly Reduced Heat of Hydration Mitigates Cracking Issues
  • Concrete Self-healing Properties 

How about strength development? No Problem!

  • Time and time again EMCs have performed as required in all manner of deployments.
  • R&D has been across both domains: academic and industrial.
  • Our EMC Volcanics patent of 2012 was granted based on decades' R&D.
  • Since 2012 we have further devoted R&D exclusively on volcanics.


We have conclusively demonstrated EMC Technology to be "feedstock agnostic", meaning that, provided raw materials are within that as specified in the relevant materials standards (norms) EMC strength-development results speak for themselves. See immediately below.

79 MPa strength at 70% OPC replacement and 350kg total-cement dose!

 EMC Volcanics—tested by BASF (2020):

  •  55% OPC replacement 
  • Total cement: 365 kg/m3 (564lbs/cu·yd) 
  • Strength development after 7-days: 62 MPa / 9,000 psi
  • Strength development after 28-days: 96 MPa / 14,000 psi 
  • Strength development after 56-days: 100 MPa / 14,600 psi 


 EMC Volcanics—independently tested by a leading Ready Mix supplier (2020-21):

  • 55% OPC replacement 
  • Total cement: 300 kg/m3 (500lbs/cu·yd) 
  • 7-days: 37 MPa / 5,360 psi
  • 28-days: 70 MPa / 10,150 psi 
  • 56-days: 82 MPa / 11,900 psi 


At 70% OPC replacement? In further EMC Volcanics testing, using a total cement dose of 350 kg/m3 (590 lbs/cu·yd), the 50C EN-206 28-day target was smashed — hitting 51.9 MPa in just 7 days! 


 EMC Volcanics—independently tested by a leading Ready Mix supplier (2020-21):

  • 70% OPC replacement 
  • Total cement: 350 kg/m3 (590lbs/cu·yd) 
  • 7-days: 52 MPa / 7,550 psi
  • 28-days: 79 MPa / 11,500 psi 
  • 56-days: 85 MPa / 12,300 psi 


14 non-EMC pozzolans plus OPC reference—tested at the University of Austin, Texas (PDF):

  • Only 20% OPC replacement (113 lbs out of total cement of 564 lbs)
  • Total cement: 335 kg/m3 (564 lbs/cu·yd) 
  • At 7-days: most below 28 MPa / 4,000 psi, none above 35 MPa / 5,000 psi
  • At 28-days: most below 35 MPa / 5,000 psi, two above 41 MPa / 6,000 psi
  • At 56-days: most below 41 MPa / 6,000 psi, one above 48 MPa / 7,000 psi


These results speak for themselves (click here to see full PDF chart).

The EMC Cement difference

Click on the image to see full PDF chart...

EMC Volcanics for concretes having enhanced-protection from:

Alkali–Silica Corrosion

Alkali–Silica Corrosion

Alkali–Silica Corrosion

Sulphate Attack

Alkali–Silica Corrosion

Alkali–Silica Corrosion

Thermal Cracking

Alkali–Silica Corrosion

Chloride Corrosion

Chloride Corrosion

Gas & Liquid Permeability

Chloride Corrosion

Gas & Liquid Permeability

Gas & Liquid Permeability

Gas & Liquid Permeability

Crack at formation...

Crack after 135 days...

Crack after 30 days...

Concrete made from Energetically Modified Cement with induced crack

Example of concrete crack, which could be caused also by drying shrinkage ...

Crack after 30 days...

Crack after 135 days...

Crack after 30 days...

Concrete made from Energetically Modified Cement with induced crack

EMC Volcanics react with ambient water vapor to create further cement inside the crack ...

Crack after 135 days...

Crack after 135 days...

Crack after 135 days...

Concrete made from Energetically Modified Cement showing self heaing

The former crack is effectively sealed, forming a formidable barrier to further corrosive attack!

Super-large scale? No problem at all!



find out more...

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