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Title: Controlling the set of carbon-fiber embedded cement with electric current

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1174893

A method for promoting cement or concrete set on demand for concrete that has been chemically retarded by adding carbon fiber to the concrete, which enables it to become electrically conductive, sodium tartrate retardant, and copper sulfate which forms a copper tartrate complex in alkaline concrete mixes. Using electricity, the concrete mix anodically converts the retarding tartrate to an insoluble polyester polymer. The carbon fibers act as a continuous anode surface with a counter electrode wire embedded in the mix. Upon energizing, the retarding effect of tartrate is defeated by formation of the polyester polymer through condensation esterification thereby allowing the normal set to proceed unimpeded.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
Assignee:
UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
Patent Number(s):
6,749,682
Application Number:
10/134,171
OSTI ID:
1174893
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (4)

Electrochemical Oxidation of Cyanide Complexes with Copper at Carbon Fibre book January 1996
Electrical conductivity of Portland cement mortars journal April 1996
Electrical percolation phenomena in cement composites containing conductive fibres journal August 1996
Canadians Create Conductive Concrete journal May 1997