Australian chemists invents self-glueing bricks from cooking oil

• 2 September 2022
• Construction Focus
• 1131 Views

Researchers at Adelaide’s Flinders University have invented bricks from wasted cooking oil that can bond without mortar.

According to GCR, the brick is a lightweight and durable polymer block that undergoes a sulfur-based adhesive reaction when brought into contact with each other in the presence of a catalyst.

The bond created by the process is comparable to that achieved by super glue.

“In this study, we tested a new type of brick we can make from waste cooking oil, mixed with sulfur and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD),” said chemistry professor Justin Chalker.

“Both sulfur and DCPD are by-products of petroleum refining. The bricks bond together without mortar upon application of a trace amount of amine catalyst.”

The team is now testing those bricks to determine their properties and is exploring ways they can be reinforced for use in construction.

The project is also under collaboration with Singaporean remediation specialist Clean Earth Technologies to further develop and commercialise the product.

• Technology and Engineering