Approaches to utilize jewelry as an educational material

- Degradation of opal due to alkali-silica reaction -

Abstract

The alkali-silica reaction is a phenomenon in which silica contained in concrete reacts with alkali. The reaction causes deterioration of concrete structures, and opal in particular is known as a dangerous reactive mineral. Authors propose a cross-disciplinary approach between chemistry experiments and materials systems engineering by incorporating the verification of degradation by alkali-silica reaction into opal synthesis experiments.