Taconite based pothole and road repair material (Road Patch)

Applications

• Potholes and road repair
• Quick setting building materials

Key Benefits & Differentiators

• Longer life: Patches are estimated to last 2X longer, resulting in decreased cost and reduced road maintenance interruptions
• Labor savings: Longer lasting repairs means potholes will need to be repaired less often
• Utilizes waste products: Utilizes waste taconite rock, a mining byproduct

Technology Overview

Researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute have developed a material that addresses a national problem regarding road quality; specifically, quickly repairing aging roads with long lasting, durable, and weather-resistant patches. The Road Patch technology is a two-component (dry and liquid), fast-setting, taconite-based cementitious road repair compound for making longer-lasting repairs in concrete and asphalt pavements and other surfaces. Final set time is temperature-dependent, however on average, Road Patch can be driven or walked on within 15 to 25 minutes of mixing at temperatures above 55° F. Completing multiple repairs quickly to avoid lengthy, costly, and disruptive traffic control in a high-traffic situation like an interstate highway is a key priority (for example, MnDOT maintenance crews).

Phase of Development

Desired Partnerships

• License
• Co-development

Please contact our office to share your business’ needs and learn more.

Press Releases

Researchers

• Larry Zanko, M.S. Minerals and Metallurgy, Natural Resources Research Institute
• Sara Post Minerals and Metallurgy, Natural Resources Research Institute
• Dan Fosnacht, Retired Minerals and Metallurgy, Natural Resources Research Institute