Cementitious Tile Adhesive with Bagasse Ash

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for cementitious compositions that can achieve high replacement levels of cement with biomass ash, particularly bagasse ash, while maintaining sufficient strength for applications such as tile adhesives, as higher replacement levels often result in decreased compressive strength.

Innovation Solution

A cementitious composition combining a hydraulic binder with high replacement levels of biomass ash, preferably bagasse ash or cashew nutshell ash, along with specific additives like cellulose ethers, redispersible polymer powders, and activators, which increases the adhesion strength and allows for up to 50% cement replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If high replacement levels of cement by biomass ash are used, then the environmental footprint is reduced, but the compressive strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental footprintVSAvoidcompressive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining biomass ash with specific additives (cellulose ethers, redispersible polymer powders, and activators) to create a cementitious composition that maintains strength while achieving high cement replacement levels. This composite approach allows the weak points of biomass ash to be compensated by the synergistic effects of the additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the replacement level of biomass ash to specifically 30-50% (with preference for 40-50%), and by controlling the dosages of additives (cellulose ether: 0.01-0.5 wt%, redispersible polymer powder: 0.05-2.5 wt%, activator: 0.01-1 wt%). These precise parameter optimizations ensure sufficient adhesion strength while maximizing cement replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If high replacement levels of cement by biomass ash are used, then the CO2 emissions are reduced, but the adhesion strength may be insufficient for tile adhesive applications

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 emissionsVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediaries (cellulose ethers, redispersible polymer powders, and activators) that mediate between the biomass ash and the substrate/tile surfaces. These intermediaries enhance the adhesion mechanism, allowing high biomass ash content (40-50% replacement) to still achieve sufficient adhesion strength for tile adhesive applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes critical parameters including biomass ash replacement level (30-50%), water-to-binder ratio (0.20-0.40), and additive dosages to ensure adhesion strength meets tile adhesive requirements while maximizing CO2 reduction. The activator dosage is specifically controlled at 0.01-1 wt% to enhance early strength development.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If cement replacement by biomass ash increases, then the sustainability is improved, but the water demand of fresh mortar increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidwater demand
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cellulose ethers and redispersible polymer powders as intermediaries that modify the rheological properties of the fresh mortar. These additives act as water retainers and viscosity modifiers, reducing the water demand increase that would otherwise result from high biomass ash content (40-50% replacement).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the water-to-binder ratio within 0.20-0.40 and optimizes the dosage of water-modifying additives (cellulose ether: 0.01-0.5 wt%, redispersible polymer powder: 0.05-2.5 wt%) to maintain workable consistency while minimizing excess water demand, even at 40-50% cement replacement levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition achieves increased adhesion strength and supports high cement replacement levels, making it suitable for use as a cementitious tile adhesive, even at higher replacement percentages, while reducing the environmental footprint.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic binder (5-50 w %)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydration reaction: Hydrates

Implementation Method 2

0.01-0.5 w % of cellulose ether

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

0.05-2.5 w % of redispersible polymer powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymer bonding:

Data Source

PatentUS20250011237A1Cementitious compositions having biomass ashes, especially bagasse ashes, and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.01.09 SIKA TECH AG

AI summary

Cementitious compositions and uses of such cementitious compositions especially as tile adhesive, the compositions including or consisting of a) a hydraulic binder itself including (in each case relative to the total dry weight of hydraulic binder) ai) 50-92 w %, preferably 70-77.55 w % of Ordinary Portland Cement, aii) 5-50 w %, preferably 21-30 w % of biomass ash, preferably bagasse ash, b) 0.01-0.5 w %, preferably 0.1-0.45 w % (relative to the total dry weight of the cementitious composition) of cellulose ether, c) optionally 0.05-2.5 w %, preferably 0.1-1 w % (relative to the total dry weight of the cementitious composition) of redispersible polymer powder, and d) optionally at least one activator selected from alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts of hydroxide, formate, chloride, sulphate, and/or nitrate.