Rigorous testing has been performed in the laboratory to develop the optimal scientific formulation for the patented binder.
The result: an environmentally-friendly binder that resists erosion while simultaneously remaining water permeable and maintaining strength and stability.
How does it work?
When water comes into contact with an Organic-Lock blended aggregate, the water is absorbed by the Organic-Lock binder. The binder swells in size and grips onto surrounding aggregate particles, holding them together creating enhanced stability and significantly reducing erosion.
Once the gel forms to its maximum swell volume, it is unable to take on any new water so the excess water passes directly through the system down into the groundwater table. Over time, the gel releases its water through evaporation into the atmosphere and through percolation into the groundwater table…recharging the system to be ready for the next rainfall.
Aggregate with Organic-Lock that has not been activated yet.
Water activates the Organic-Lock gelling properties.
Gel at full capacity – excess water passes through.
Water held at the surface evaporates.
Rainfall Erosion Testing
The core focus for the development of the Organic-Lock formulation is on its ability to resist erosion due to excessive rainfall. Envirobond uses a customized rainfall simulation device that provides consistent and comparative stress to each sample studied.
By preparing samples that are subjected to a controlled rainfall simulation, Envirobond’s researchers have been able to understand the relationship between the binding strength and its ability to resist erosion. This has lead to a patented formulation making Organic-Lock the strongest organic binder on the market today.
Water Permeability
Traditional surfaces like asphalt or concrete are often installed to resist erosion, however they are also commonly impermeable to water.
Organic-Lock offers an ideal solution of being stable and also water permeable. When water comes across the Organic-Lock blended system, it easily permeates the pores of the aggregate.
The water permeability rate of Organic-Lock blended aggregate, determined by an Independent ASTM standard double ring infiltrometer test, shows a rate of 0.85 inches per hour
Aggregate Stability
Organic-Lock blended aggregates derive much of their strength from the aggregate itself. The gel works best with the natural interlocking ability of well-graded crushed aggregate particles to create an optimally structured surface.
Only aggregates that meet our optimal gradation guidelines, which specify a detailed matrix of particle size distributions, are approved to become Organic-Lock blended aggregates. We determine this using a simple sieve analysis.
Simple Maintenance
The Organic-Lock gel activates each time it comes in contact with water, which allows for the blended aggregate to be physically broken up, re-worked and returned back to its initial state. This self-healing nature allows for a simplified maintenance procedure that leaves no sign of the maintenance itself.
For example: If you have to run an irrigation line below your finished pathway, all you need to do is add water, dig the material up, put down your irrigation line, spread the material back in place, then water and compact it back to new.
