← All services
Technical services
New Material Development
Development and testing of low-carbon binders, blended cements and concrete using local and alternative materials.
Full description
NC4SCM develops and evaluates cementitious materials through laboratory trials and performance testing. Research includes LC3, activation of heterogeneous clays, fly ash and other supplementary cementitious materials, recycled aggregate concrete and self-healing concrete.
Studies examine how composition, processing and mix proportions affect hydration, strength and durability. Development begins with material assessment and proceeds through formulation and testing. Promising formulations can then be considered for demonstration or industrial validation, based on the results and project requirements.
Methods & capabilities
- Screening of local and alternative raw materials.
- Thermal and mechanochemical clay activation studies.
- Binder formulation and mortar/concrete mix design.
- Experimental comparisons and optimisation of material proportions.
- Hydration, compressive, tensile and flexural testing.
- Selected durability tests, including absorption, chloride-related testing and carbonation.
- Research on elevated-temperature performance and self-healing behaviour.
- Demonstration and trial planning for promising formulations.
Typical deliverables
- Material assessment and development plan.
- Candidate formulations and processing conditions.
- Laboratory specimens and comparative performance results.
- Technical report identifying promising options and limitations.
- Recommendations for further optimisation, demonstration or industrial validation.