I have tiles like this all over the place right now. I’m testing out different Geoploymer recipes to create large triangular tiles that will be used as part of my geodesic dome greenhouse.

Geopolymers are building materials similar to concrete that when mixed correctly cause a chemical reaction similar to the natural formation of some rocks. Once the reaction is complete it creates a hard, waterproof structure.

Due to the amount of CO2 generated from the concrete manufacturing process people have been looking into alternative building materials like geopolymers.

A popular crowd-funding start-up called Geoship has announced it will be using a geopolymer to construct its dome house in the future. After hearing their claims on how they would be using the materials (injection molding the resin-like material into molds that would cure in 6 minutes) I had to investigate further. If this material could do what they said, it could have a lot of other very useful applications.

So if it is so great, why isn’t everyone doing it?

I attempted to find out. After reading 2 books on the subject and watching countless videos, I purchased several different sets of ingredients and began mixing.

Some batches showed some promise, others cracked too easily, and some never even hardened. I wish I could account for all of the variables, but I guess growing up I just didn’t watch enough Bill Nye.

The main problem I have been having, is sourcing the materials. It’s hard to replicate an experiment when you live in a country that doesn’t sell the same ingredients as the ones demonstrated.

I’m looking for some ingredients that I am having difficulty sourcing.

Do you know a somewhat local to the Pacific Northwest chemical supplier?

Here’s what I need:

Dead burnt magnesium oxide
Metakaolin clay fired to 750 degrees Celsius also known as MK750
Potassium Phosphate Powder
Large quantities of Sodium Silicate