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Concrete made with ocean water

A.I.M. Resources has developed a revolutionary new salt water concrete that is more cost-effective, stronger and durable over time than conventional fresh water concrete.

The cornerstone of this technology is the use of the company’s treated ocean (salt) water with existing concrete mixes. The resulting concrete is referred to as C*-Crete. The treated ocean water does not require removal of the salt element from the water.

A decade in the making, the company reports that the new technology offers faster drying time and greater resistance to harmful elements than conventional concrete, the most widely used construction material in the world. The principle objective of this research, A.I.M. Resources states, was to be able to economically develop a process in which seawater and/or brackish water and its minerals and other constituents could be utilized in the mixture of concrete. These source waters are readily available on a global scale, unlike fresh water, which is often costly and limited.

The new C*-Crete has benefits that far outweigh those of conventional concrete, including increased strength and durability as well as resistance to water and extreme fluctuations in temperature.

By using C*-Crete, a higher-strength concrete, for example, columns can hold more weight, and therefore be made slimmer than conventional-strength concrete columns, which allows for more usable space, especially in the lower floors of buildings. Such benefits lead to substantial savings, including in design, labour and finishing costs.

The development, preparation, mixing and molding of the C*-Crete materials, engineering, effectiveness, structure and durability were tested through a Canadian Standards Association (C.S.A.)-certified laboratory. The results of the testing by C.N. Ryzuk & Associates can be authenticated through any C.S.A. in the world.