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Self-Healing Concrete: New Study Shows How Radiation Can Trigger a Self-Regeneration Process and Improve Material Stability.
Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in construction and is essential for structures that require high strength, such as nuclear power plants. With advances in scientific research, a new study from the University of Tokyo revealed a surprising effect: radiation can trigger a self-regeneration process in this material, making it more stable in the long term. Keep reading to discover all about this self-healing concrete.
The Impact of Radiation on Concrete
Researchers were investigating how nuclear radiation affects the aging of concrete, as it is used both for the structure and for the insulation of reactors. The study focused on the impact of radiation on quartz, a common mineral in the composition of concrete, regardless of where it is produced. The results indicated that radiation causes a distortion in the crystal structure of quartz, leading to its amorphization and volumetric expansion.
However, the research revealed that, due to the role of silicon and oxygen in the composition of quartz, there is a self-repair phenomenon that reduces the effects of expansion. Professor Ippei Maruyama, one of the lead researchers of the study, explained that “a lower radiation rate allows more time for this recovery process, ensuring greater structural stability for concrete.”
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Study Details Tests with Irradiated Quartz
To understand the behavior of the material, scientists irradiated different types of quartz, including synthetic quartz, metaquartzite, sandstone, and granodiorite, at temperatures between 45 and 62 degrees Celsius. The damage per displaced atom varied between 0.01 and 0.23 units. The tests revealed that larger mineral grains exhibited less expansion, suggesting that the degradation of concrete in nuclear power plants may be less severe than previously thought.
Researchers emphasize that these findings may allow for extended use of nuclear power plants, increasing their structural safety and reducing maintenance costs. “The stability of concrete can be improved by carefully selecting the minerals used in its composition,” says Maruyama.
Researchers Will Evaluate How Other Minerals Present in Concrete React to Radiation
Although the results are promising, the team from the University of Tokyo stresses that there are many challenges to overcome. Researchers have been studying the impact of radiation on concrete since 2008, but point out that the research is costly and time-consuming. Now, the next step will be to evaluate how other minerals present in concrete react to radiation and whether the self-repair effect can be enhanced.
The team is also seeking to better understand how to predict and mitigate cracks caused by the expansion of minerals subjected to radiation, as well as to improve the selection of materials for building more durable reactors.
The Future of Self-Healing Concrete
Developing concrete capable of self-regenerating has been a goal pursued by scientists around the world. In addition to its impact on nuclear power plants, this advancement could help make concrete more durable and sustainable. Today, the production of this material is one of the main sources of CO2 emissions, and its maintenance has high costs.
If the research progresses, the development of self-healing concrete could significantly reduce environmental impact and infrastructure costs, opening new possibilities for more resilient and long-lasting constructions.
Source: Xataka
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