Cellular concrete: types, history of occurrence and scope of use

Cellular concrete is a stone material of artificial origin, consisting of a certain astringent and having a lot of air Cells that are evenly distributed inside. Now there are many of them. The gradation occurs according to parameters such as the type of binder, the scope of application, hardening conditions, and others.

Classification

Depending on the binding agent, cellular concrete is divided into the following types: aerated concrete and aerated concrete, foam gypsum and gas gypsum, foam silicate and gas silicate, as well as foam and magnesite. In the first case, cement is cement, in the second - plaster of increased strength, in the third - limestone, and in the fourth - magnesian component.

According to this parameter, as the sphere of use, concretes are divided into heat-insulating and structural-heat-insulating. The last mentioned products of cellular concrete (blocks) are characterized by increased strength and can be used for the erection of load-bearing structures.

As for the method of solidification, there is a natural and artificial method. The first kind hardens under the influence of atmospheric conditions, and the second - due to the treatment with water vapor.

History of appearance

The first historical information about such building material as cellular concrete, dates back to 1889. Then the Czech scientist Goffman obtained aerated concrete by Addition of chloride and carbonate salts to the cement slurry. As a result of this, a chemical reaction occurred, as a result of which gas was released. Over time, the solution solidified, and inside it formed a porous structure. Fifteen years later, the Americans Dyer and Aulsworth used a powder as a gas generator, which included impurities of zinc, aluminum and several other metals. As a result of the interaction, hydrogen was released, which acted as a swelling agent. It is this invention that laid the foundation for the modern manufacture of aerated concrete.

A great contribution to the development of production of this building material was made by the Swedish inventor Ericsson. In 1920, he proposed to swell the solution by adding silicic substances and cement. Hardening in this case should occur in an autoclave at a pressure of 8 atmospheres. After that, cellular concrete in a similar way began to be produced in Sweden itself, and then in other states. Over time, they formed at once two of their varieties. The first of these was gas silicate, which was a concrete with a porous structure, which included a mixture of lime and siliceous additives. In 1934, a second species appeared - siporex, - soy It is made of siliceous elements and Portland cement.

Modern production and application

Most often, cellular concrete (GOST 21520-89) is now available in blocks. They are considered one of the most common building materials (along with ceramic bricks). As for the scope of application, it is quite extensive, because from such blocks everything is erected, starting with ordinary interior partitions, and ending with load-bearing walls. The standard block size is 600x300x200 mm. However, other orders are issued on special order. In the case where the density of the plate is less than five hundred kilograms per one cubic meter, it can be used even in the form of a heat-insulating layer.