r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Nov 03 '19

Chemistry Scientists replaced 40 percent of cement with rice husk cinder, limestone crushing waste, and silica sand, giving concrete a rubber-like quality, six to nine times more crack-resistant than regular concrete. It self-seals, replaces cement with plentiful waste products, and should be cheaper to use.

https://newatlas.com/materials/rubbery-crack-resistant-cement/
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u/[deleted] Nov 03 '19

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u/Kolios14 Nov 03 '19

I think this one got potential. Haven't seen any downsides yet.

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u/Ozuf1 Nov 03 '19

The biggest downside is the industry unwillingness to do new things. Engineering and construction are famously resistant to new materials. No one wants to take a chance on something new and have the project fail and people die because they werent familiar enough with the material.