What C-S-H is
Calcium silicate hydrate is the compound that gives hardened cement its strength. Speed up its formation and you need less cement to reach the same result.
The Science
Concrete has not changed in over a century.
Sonocrete changes it at the microscopic level. We treat cement slurry with high-power ultrasound before mixing, for a denser microstructure and faster strength development.
Film
The science in 2 minutes
From slurry to structure
The process
01Cement slurry preparedPart of the cement, water, and SCM is mixed as normal.
02Ultrasound appliedHigh-power ultrasound creates controlled cavitation.
03CavitationBubbles grow, reach an unstable size, and implode.
04C-S-H formationExtreme local heat and pressure accelerate hydration.
05Denser microstructureThe same strength forms with less clinker.
The chemistry
In detail
Why cavitation helps
Imploding bubbles create short bursts of high pressure and temperature at the particle surface. Those conditions stimulate and accelerate C-S-H formation.
Why less clinker works
When hydration is more complete, the same structural result needs up to 30% less clinker in the mix. Clinker is the part that drives cost and carbon.
Related research and reading
Research
Blog
The reason why precast concrete is so hard to decarbonize
Why fast production cycles keep cement content high in precast — and what changes when early strength comes from ultrasound instead.
Blog
Increasing early compressive strength by factor 4 to produce more?
Blog