The concrete produced by the Illuminart company from the Kirov region is special. Unlike the usual one, it is capable of transmitting light.
The first person to think of combining concrete with optical fiber was the Hungarian architect Aron Losonczy. He patented the resulting light-conducting “translucent” building material under the name litracon. The whole secret of litracon is in the connection of fine-grained cement mass with small fiber optic strands that are used in telecommunications networks. If the share of these threads does not exceed 5% of total mass, then the properties of the material remain comparable to lightweight concrete, without much loss in strength and durability. But, as they say, this is not the main point.
Lithracon, unlike its “ancestor,” turned out to be far from being so boring and banal. The miraculous properties of this concrete will be most clearly demonstrated by photographs: through the litracon you can see the shadows of people, objects, and illumination, which turns it into an unusual decorative material. Outwardly it looks more like a natural stone, granite or marble, rather than soulless concrete slab. The first sample was obtained by a Hungarian back in 2001 and within 15 years new technology spread throughout the world. It did not bypass Russia either. First industrial production transparent concrete was launched by a company from the Kirov region called Illuminart.
The company began exploring the market in 2012, but the first experiments were not entirely successful. There were few buyers in the entrepreneurs' native city of Kirov. The situation changed dramatically only in 2015, when transparent concrete, literally and figuratively, was featured on one of the television programs dedicated to design and construction. Soon the company became known in Moscow, and orders began from architects, cafes, bars and restaurants. As a result, according to press publications, in three months of 2016 Illuminart’s turnover jumped from 100 thousand rubles. up to 5 million rubles per month. Moreover, by the end of the year the company is going to reach the amount of 50 million rubles. Naturally, the addition of impurities and the absence of such material on the market significantly increases the cost of such material compared to conventional concrete.
The main buyers were not developers, but representatives of the entertainment industry. And this, given the properties of transparent concrete, is perhaps not surprising. Illumicon (that’s what the entrepreneurs called their concrete) is much more suitable where it can be admired. For example, it can be used as bar counters in nightclubs illuminated with illumination, or to create decorative lamps and other interior items. The company's website also lists illuminated steps, fences, and interior decoration of rooms and living rooms as examples of the use of transparent concrete.
According to manufacturers, the greatest difficulties in creating the material are caused by working with fiberglass threads. You can install them yourself, but for mass production this approach is ineffective. Company representatives had to look for special automated devices and even manually design machines. The material is sold in slabs and blocks up to 1200 mm long and up to 400 mm high. The price per square, depending on the thickness of the slab, varies from 1,890 to 38,900 rubles (the figures are current as of mid-August 2016).
Now the company, one might say, is in search of its client. What other ways can you think of using transparent concrete? Creation of illuminated pedestrian crossings, unusual interiors exhibition and art spaces, construction of dance clubs or even houses for wealthy clients? These questions remain to be answered. In any case, it seems that in the coming years transparent concrete will not be a material for the mass consumer.
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Light-transmitting building materials are the result of innovative and expensive construction technologies. Glass fiber with a percentage of no more than 5% is used as a light-conducting filler, which allows maintaining the basic properties of concrete: tensile and compressive strength, water resistance, frost resistance. At the same time, the design potential of the material is enormous: being not completely transparent, the blocks transmit light and shade and change patterns when the lighting changes.
In the absence of coarse filler, glass fiber acts as an analogue of fiber and can withstand internal and external loads and deformations. The only drawback is the high prices (from 90,000 rubles per 1 m2), the technology of transparent light-conducting concrete is still being mastered Russian manufacturers and is considered expensive.
Composition and properties of the material
The raw materials are cement, sand with a particle size modulus of 2–3, fiber-optic fiber with a filament diameter of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, and modifying additives to improve the formability of low-mobility solutions. There is no coarse filler, the percentage of light transmitting is in the range of 4–5%. The optical characteristics of fiberglass and the environmental friendliness of the raw materials of the finished product are certified; it is completely safe for humans even if plastic resins are added. Essentially, the transparent type of concrete has the same properties as regular concrete:
- strength: compressive strength within 20–35 MPa, tensile strength during bending - at least 2;
- density - 2300 kg/cm3;
- thermal conductivity - 2.1 W/(m∙K);
- frost resistance up to 75 cycles;
- water permeability grade: W4–W8;
- water absorption: no more than 6%;
- sound insulation - 46 dB.
The material does not burn, is not afraid of UV rays, there is a risk of alkali-silicate reactions between fiberglass and cement under the influence of precipitation, but due to the thin cross-section of the threads, this is minimal. During the day, concrete allows natural light to pass through, and at night - artificial light. In theory, the thickness of the slabs is not limited, in practice it does not exceed 20 cm due to the current capabilities of laying fiberglass. The production of transparent concrete is constantly being improved, but is still an exclusive and expensive technology.
Scope of application
The manufacturer produces blocks and slabs in white, black and gray, with specially treated surfaces (polished or matte). This concrete is used in decorative purposes, due to the high cost, full-fledged construction of walls is possible only during the construction of unique objects. It is optimal for interior decoration: partitions, cladding with laying of lamps under the tiles, stairs, inserts. Original look has furniture and interior items made of transparent composite: benches, tabletops, lamps, sinks.
The blocks are connected with a cement- or lime-based mortar or compositions of epoxy resins and quartz chips. This type of masonry complies with building and fire safety regulations and is suitable for the construction of load-bearing walls. In addition to the fastening solution, anchor bolts or frame structures are purchased, and the panels can be floor-mounted. The only limitation in use is the high price of transparent concrete; for private construction, it is advisable to try to make it yourself.
Production technology
The process is a layer-by-layer application of fiberglass threads and a fine-grained concrete mixture. After gaining strength, transparent concrete undergoes processing: grinding and polishing. This is necessary to obtain optimal light transmission characteristics and gain decorative effect. The optical properties do not depend on the thickness of the plates, but on the uniformity of the distribution of threads and their percentage. Blocks with a fine-mesh structure look more airy and convey the edges of the object; with increasing fiber density, the transmitting effect is stronger.
Much depends on the mobility of the mixtures: displacement leads to a decrease in throughput, but creates a unique pattern. It is important to understand: the technology for producing transparent concrete with light transmitting properties does not allow it to be obtained directly on the construction site. The process of creating a separate panel is labor-intensive and will take a lot of time (as will shipping them from abroad), this should be taken into account when planning the timing of the work. If necessary (to obtain slabs required thickness) the material is cut perpendicular to the laid threads.
Self-production
It’s quite possible to create it yourself, the main thing is to achieve maximum homogeneity of the solution and immobility of the fiberglass. The recommended proportions are:
- 1 part cement;
- 2.3–3 sand without clay impurities and dust;
- 0.5 parts of clean water.
The volume of light-conducting filler does not exceed 5% of the total mass of the solution, the diameter of the threads is 0.5–2.5 mm, the length corresponds to the thickness concrete product. To reduce the mobility of the mixture, it is recommended to introduce modifying additives. Do-it-yourself mixing is not suitable; it is best to prepare the solution in forced mixers and in small portions. Water is introduced after combining sand with cement (welcome ready-made mixtures), after introducing all components, the concrete is mixed for at least 5–8 minutes.
A sliding type of formwork is used. Transparent concrete is laid in stages: 0.5–1 cm of solution and slightly pressed fibers or bundles. Important: each subsequent layer is laid only after the previous one has set. After filling, the formwork is left motionless for 48–72 hours and only then removed. The minimum strength gain is 5–7 days, before which the product is kept at 20 °C and 95% humidity. After hardening, all edges of the fibers are covered with cement; to achieve transmissive properties, the surface requires finishing - grinding the side edges with diamond discs.
Price
In addition to the “transparent concrete” brand, this product is known to consumers as litrakon or lyutsem (after the European brands of the same name). Prices are given taking into account conversion to the euro exchange rate; when planning a purchase, you should remember additional expenses for delivery. It is possible to produce panels with individual parameters, even down to the arrangement of fiberglass in the form of logos and paintings. In this case, the cost will be negotiable, as is the case when creating custom colored blocks with LED lighting systems, curved shapes or interior items.
stroitel-list.ru
Transparent concrete - DIY production technology
For more than 50 years, concrete has been the most popular building material. Due to its high strength, density and resistance to temperature changes, concrete bases last the longest. But this material has rather poor aesthetic qualities, which significantly narrows the scope of its use in construction. To solve this problem, transparent concrete (or as it is also called light-transmitting or “Litracon”) was developed. This innovative material, which is just beginning to conquer the market. Let's take a closer look at what is included in this material, what properties it has and where it is used.
What is transparent concrete?
This modification was developed by the Hungarian architect Aron Losonczi, who experimented with building materials. With him light hand 15 years ago, light-conducting concrete was born, which consists of:
- cement;
- fine-grained sand;
- fiber-optic fibers (thread diameter 0.5-2.5 mm), which act as a light-transmitting filler;
- specialized additives that improve the formability of a low-moving solution.
Coarse fillers in production translucent concrete are not used.
Fiber optic glass threads must be certified. The documents indicate that the material is environmentally friendly.
It’s worth saying right away that the cost of high-quality transparent concrete is very high; if you have the opportunity, it is better to order the material from Europe. However, domestic manufacturers have already begun to master the production technology of this unique composition. True, this did not reduce the price much.
Cost of transparent concrete
Today, two companies Litracon and Lucem are selling this unique material on the Russian market. However, it is worth considering that these companies are not manufacturers. These are intermediaries of official European companies that produce luminous concrete. Accordingly, the price does not take into account delivery costs.
However, you can order decorative slabs of any size, shape or color. You can even purchase canvases in which fiberglass fibers will be laid out in the shape of a logo or product, as well as blocks equipped LED backlight. Of course, the cost in this case will be many times higher.
If we talk about the price of “standard” panels from transparent material, That:
- A Litracon Classic prefabricated panel measuring 1200 x 400 mm and 25 mm thick will cost at least 90,000 rubles. If the thickness is increased to 200 mm, then it will cost 320,000 rubles.
- A Litracube Lamp block measuring 221 X 175 X 175 mm and 25 mm thick will cost a little less. You can pay for it from 54,000 rubles.
- A lightweight concrete slab from Lucem (1250 X 650 mm) with a thickness of 15-50 mm will cost at least 90,000 rubles.
- The Lucem luminous tabletop measuring 1200 x 600 mm will cost 89,500 rubles.
Shipping costs are added to all prices.
Many believe that due to its transparent structure, such concrete has very low strength and other characteristics. Let's take a closer look at them.
Properties of transparent concrete
Despite its transparency, this material has the same properties as ordinary concrete. Moreover, in some indicators it even surpasses its “gray brother”. This is explained by the fact that it contains fiberglass, which is an excellent reinforcing material.
The luminous material has the following characteristics:
- strength: compressive strength in the range of 20-35 MPa, bending strength 30 Ptb, and tensile strength not less than 2;
- density – 2300 kg/cm3;
- thermal conductivity – 2.1 W/(m∙K);
- frost resistance up to F75;
- waterproof - W4-W8;
- soundproofing properties– 46 dB;
- water absorption within 6%.
At the same time, the material, which freely transmits the light beam, is not affected by UV radiation. However, there is a risk of minor alkali silicate reactions occurring in the event of heavy rainfall. Therefore, it is better to choose products with a thinner thread section, then damage will be minimal.
The thickness of transparent concrete slabs usually does not exceed 20 cm. However, this indicator does not in any way affect the light transmittance of the material. Even if the wall thickness is 2 m, light will still pass through it freely.
During the day, the slabs transmit natural light, and at night - artificial light, thanks to which you can achieve very unusual design solutions both in the interior of the apartment and during construction country house.
Scope of application of transparent concrete
Since the blocks are available in any size and color, polished or matte, their scope of application is unlimited. Products of this type can be used in construction. They are optimal for interior decoration, as well as for the construction of:
- partitions;
- stairs;
- inserts and much more.
The luminous panel can be used along with products made from standard concrete. However, the cost of transparent building material is so high that it is used only in the construction of buildings of special architectural significance.
If we talk about ordinary citizens, they often use this unusual composite for the manufacture of:
- benches;
- countertops;
- shells;
- decorative fountains;
- illuminated niches in the walls.
If you spend money on small panels, you can make a cube out of them and place a lamp inside it. This way you will get very unusual lamp.
Also, you can make a bar counter from transparent concrete, which will separate the kitchen and bedroom in a studio apartment.
Of course, no one wants to buy panels costing 90,000 rubles for an ordinary night light. In this case, you can try to make a transparent composite yourself.
How to make transparent concrete
First of all, it is worth saying that the production of such a composite requires specialized equipment. Since the components of the composition are laid in layers, treatment is required after each subsequent layer. However, there are artisanal methods that allow you to prepare a material that resembles transparent concrete with your own hands.
To do this you will need:
- 1 share PC;
- 2.5-3 shares of sand (it should not contain loam and dust);
- light-conducting filler - (no more than 5% of the total mass of the batch);
- modifying additives.
- 0.5 parts running water.
The solution is mixed in a forced mixer (it is better to prepare concrete in small portions). First you need to displace the sand and cement. After this, water is added to the mixture and the solution is mixed for at least 6 minutes. In the following stages, the sliding formwork is prepared and the following operations are performed:
- A layer of concrete about 0.5-1 cm high is laid in the formwork.
- A layer of fibers is placed on it (they need to be pressed a little into the solution).
- After this, you need to wait until the layer “sets”.
- The procedure is repeated until the formwork structure is completely filled.
After this, you need to wait about 72 hours and remove the formwork. For a week, the workpiece must be stored at a temperature of +20 degrees and air humidity of at least 95%. After 7 days, the concrete will gain maximum strength, then it will be possible to grind the surfaces. For finishing It is best to use diamond blades.
Finished blocks are installed using standard masonry mixtures. For gluing products, you can use epoxy resin with quartz filler.
In custody
Transparent concrete is very expensive pleasure, so no one uses it to build houses. However, if you use it for decorative purposes, you can achieve a stunning effect.
zamesbetona.ru
Translucent concrete: how it was created and where it is used
Modern building material – transparent concrete, opens up new possibilities for the construction and decoration of buildings Every person on the planet knows what concrete looks like: gray rough walls familiar to everyone. Popularity concrete mortar very high, because, despite its external unattractiveness, this building material is very durable and quite economical.
But science does not stand still, and today we will talk about a new material, which has received the international name LiTraCon (litracon) or translucent concrete. Let's figure out what it consists of the new kind concrete, what it is used for, and whether it is possible to make glass concrete with your own hands.
Litracon technology allows you to create various designs in blocks, including images brands When, by whom and why?
Pouring any formwork with concrete creates a very durable structure with a very long service life. The initial plasticity of the material and maximum strength after hardening make it very popular in the construction market around the world.
But among the many advantages of concrete, it has several disadvantages. The main one is the external unattractiveness of the resulting surface. Due to their dullness, concrete surfaces require mandatory decorative finishing.
Who invented transparent concrete and when?
In 2001, Hungarian architect Aron Loskonsi took a look at the problem concrete surfaces from the inside. He decided that the external unattractiveness of concrete could be corrected not by external decorative materials, but by changing its internal structure. As a result of a series of experiments, a new, technologically advanced building material was born - transparent concrete.
Hungarian architect Aron Loskonshi with his invention - transparent concrete Transparent concrete, which has a very attractive appearance, did not immediately gain popularity. It was first used as a material for the construction of parts of buildings and structures in Europe, in Germany in 2005.
Transparent concrete blocks arrived in Russia in 2012. And in our country its use is quite limited. There are no domestic analogues for this material, and importing it from abroad is quite expensive. The price of a block weighing 10 kg is about 600 euros excluding delivery and customs duties.
For what?
The transparency of litracon is quite relative. In terms of light transmission, it is difficult to compare with glass. However, using blocks to build walls or partitions can significantly reduce the amount of electricity consumed by allowing natural light into the room.
At the same time, you will not be inside a glass cube; the translucent blocks retain a certain intimacy: through the litrakon wall you can only discern a silhouette or guess the color - provided that there is independent lighting.
On a note! The thickness of a block or panel of transparent concrete does not in any way affect its light transmittance. The main condition for the manifestation of this effect is the presence of a light source.
The difference between the light transmittance of concrete litrakon and ordinary glass Transparent concrete
Clear concrete is essentially fiberglass blocks filled with concrete. In addition to visual appeal, the author of the invention was looking for a way to provide light access to a concrete building without compromising the basic strength characteristics.
Definition and composition
Regular concrete blocks is a mixture of cement, sand and crushed stone. Transparency of the material is achieved by adding to the composition optical fiber.
In this case, there is no need to use coarse aggregate and additional internal reinforcement. Therefore, transparent concrete blocks do not differ in strength from ordinary concrete, while gaining additional aesthetic appeal.
The mass fraction of optical fiber in transparent concrete blocks is no more than 5%. The diameter of the glass fiber used can vary, but ranges from 2 microns to 2 mm. The main volume is filled with cement and fine-grained purified sand.
On a note! Compared to conventional concrete, this material has much less weight, but at the same time becomes much stronger.
Fiberglass creates a reflective matrix that allows the concrete to transmit light Performance characteristics
So, we found out that the optical fiber in concrete gives the blocks the ability to transmit light. What is the situation with other characteristics of concrete that are so attractive to builders?
Fiberglass is at the same time a reinforcing element of reinforcement, due to which transparent blocks acquire higher levels of the following properties:
- resistance to the damaging effects of humidity;
- bending and compressive strength of the material;
- resistance to temperature changes.
At the same time, the indicators for the level of environmental friendliness, fire safety, sound and heat insulation are maintained. Also, transparent concrete is not exposed to ultraviolet rays.
It does not fade or change the design. The modern construction market offers for purchase blocks of translucent concrete in black, gray and white.
Application area
On this moment Litracon has gained enormous popularity among interior designers and building designers, both in the field of low-rise construction and in the field of industrial development. Transparent concrete blocks fit perfectly into the structure of modern and high-tech buildings.
They produce blocks and panels of translucent concrete, which are used with great success:
- as the main material of load-bearing walls;
The walls of the office building are made of transparent concrete blocks - for internal and external cladding of building surfaces, including floors;
Interior finishing with transparent concrete slabs - for the formation of zonal fences and devices interior partitions;
Translucent façade wall administrative desk reception area SFAs (small architectural forms) are made from transparent concrete: benches, fountains, lampshades for street lamps.
MAF elements made of transparent concrete
Like any stone with an interesting structure, transparent concrete has found its use as a finishing material for staircase steps, countertops and in the manufacture of sanitary furniture. In the photo below, examples of the successful use of Litrakon brand material:
Production process
The technology for producing transparent concrete is not a complicated process. The high cost of the material is not due to labor costs for production, but to the cost of the optical fiber included in the blocks and panels. A layer of concrete without a coarse component is poured into the formwork, then fiberglass is pressed into the solution and the layer dries.
Then the process is repeated. The next layer is always poured after the previous one has set. In this way, transparent concrete is obtained: the technology for its production is not a science-intensive or labor-intensive process. It is quite possible to carry out work on the production of glass concrete yourself.
We make litracon on our own
Due to the high cost of branded material, many people try to make transparent concrete with their own hands. Technologically this process very simple, but there are some nuances here too. The trick is to maintain the exact proportions of all components, as well as the quality of fillers.
In addition, it is very important to observe the vector of laying the fiberglass threads.
To make block or panel glass concrete with your own hands, you need to prepare following materials:
The concrete solution is prepared in the traditional proportion of one to three. Water is added as needed, based on the mass fraction of cement, but the amount of water in the solution should not exceed 50% of the total volume.
Important! Mixing should be done carefully, for which it is necessary to use special equipment (concrete mixer), the condition of which must be absolutely clean.
The instructions for pouring blocks are as follows:
- A box is assembled from a floating formwork that moves upward;
- The first one is poured inside the formwork thin layer concrete mortar;
- Fiberglass is placed and embedded in the solution;
- The pouring is left at rest until the concrete sets.
Then the process is repeated the required number of times until the full height is reached. After last layer the pouring has set, the formwork is removed. This usually happens 48 - 72 hours from the moment the last layer is poured.
Important! After removing the formwork, the block is allowed to rest at room temperature and average humidity within 3-5 days.
Ready block sanded and polished to mirror shine from the side of the working surface, which is perpendicular to the direction of laying the fiberglass threads. Learn more about the process self-made translucent concrete blocks can be created by watching the video in this article.
Installation of panels and blocks
Translucent concrete blocks or panels can be used to decorate facades and to form internal surfaces. The blocks are laid on a binder cement-lime mortar, or using adhesives based on epoxy resins and quartz flour. The strength of the resulting walls is not inferior to concrete masonry, and meets all the requirements for load-bearing elements building structures.
Panels made of transparent concrete are mounted on a frame or on anchors. Their design is similar to the technology of ventilated facades. The panels can also be laid as flooring. The strength of the material does not depend on the thickness of the tile.
The photo clearly shows that panels of transparent concrete blocks are mounted on metal carcass walls Conclusion
Modern concrete transparent has very interesting external characteristics, while maintaining all the valuable performance qualities of ordinary concrete. This combination makes it very attractive for construction concrete buildings with unusual structural elements. If the price of the material seems very high, you can make translucent concrete blocks with your own hands.
concrete-house.com
What is transparent concrete?
Concrete can easily be called the cornerstone of modern architecture, because not a single serious project can do without it. However, the aesthetic component of structures made from it most often lost and could be partially compensated due to the scale, intricacy and complexity of forms. That was until, in 2001, a young Hungarian architect invented transparent concrete, which incorporated glass fiber optic strands into its fine-grained structure. Now the idea of it can change significantly - Lucem (one of the names of the innovation) is acquiring signs of airy decorativeness.
- Application
- Is it possible to do it yourself?
- Acquisition
Characteristics and properties
The light-conducting structure is a solid and durable substance penetrated by many thin glass fibers. Due to the technological complexity of execution, the price of transparent concrete is quite high - about € 4,000 per m2 with a thickness of 200 mm, therefore it is produced exclusively to order in the form of rectangular slabs, the dimensions of which are agreed upon with the customer.
Despite some external extravagance and apparent weightlessness, Litracon retains the structural characteristics of ordinary concrete: strength, water resistance, noise and heat insulation.
Moreover, thanks to the reinforcing effect of glass fiber, certain indicators are significantly improved:
- frost resistance – F 50;
- moisture absorption – up to 6%;
- compressive strength - M250 and bending strength - Ptb30.
At the same time, the light-conducting properties of lucem do not depend on its thickness. The raw materials used in the production of light-conducting concrete are certified and undergo an environmental assessment before entering the plant, this allows us to produce guaranteed clean and safe products.
The technological complexity of obtaining transparent concrete does not allow it to be obtained, like usual, by pouring it into formwork directly at the installation site. It is produced at specialized industrial enterprises with appropriate equipment.
The technology for producing concrete with glass fiber-optic threads involves layer-by-layer application of fine-grained mortar and fiberglass. After setting and gaining the required strength, the surface of each block is additionally processed to impart the specified mass parameters and achieve the desired light-conducting characteristics.
Application
The first product made from light-conducting concrete was a fancy cube-shaped lamp, made for demonstration purposes. This item weighed home interior more than 10 kg. Because it caused an unprecedented stir, it can still be purchased at innovation fairs for 570 €.
Basically, transparent or light-conducting concrete is used in the latest architectural compositions for decorative purposes, to implement bold design solutions in urban design, and to create original interior elements. The imagination of designers and artists is currently limited only by high cost; if a way is found to circumvent this obstacle, the world will expect many amazing innovations.
How to make it yourself
Complexity self-production is to include 4% of the total mass of optical fibers in the structure, and the threads must be oriented in a strictly defined manner.
In order to get a lithrocon with your own hands, you should stock up on all the necessary materials:
- dry fine-grained mixture for concrete;
- clean water;
- fiberglass (diameter 0.25÷3 mm) of the same length, corresponding to the thickness of the future slab.
First of all, you need to make a structure that resembles a box, but is actually a sliding formwork. As the concrete sets, it should move smoothly upward. Box rectangular shape and install the given dimensions on a flat horizontal surface. You need to pour a small amount of ready-made concrete onto the bottom, fixing its amount, and spread it in a thin layer.
Carefully, evenly lay the fibers on the resulting pillow across the mold and press them down slightly. After the composition has set, pour in the next portion of the liquid concrete solution in measured doses and again place the fiberglass on its surface. Repeat the procedure until the form is completely filled out.
After the last layer has hardened, the formwork is removed and the side surfaces of the slab, to which the fibers are perpendicular, are ground and polished. If everything is done correctly, then the prototype of the product is ready. The work will require time, perseverance and perseverance, but the result is worth it. Based on the experience gained, subsequent products may be more High Quality.
Buy in Moscow
Abroad, transparent concrete is very expensive, plus the costs associated with transportation and customs. However, domestic engineering does not stand still and now in our country they have learned to produce such construction material, the cost of which is said to be significantly lower than abroad. In Moscow you can buy both imported and domestic production. At the same time, the quality of the optical characteristics of concrete is beyond doubt, but the prices, alas, are not transparent. You can find out about them only if the order for the products is placed and the manager is convinced of the seriousness of the client’s intentions.
Than concrete, but even that modern technologies were not spared. Not long ago, litracon appeared on the market - a transparent type of concrete. We will talk about its composition, features and areas of application in our article.
The history of using concrete in construction goes back thousands of years. Invented about 60 centuries ago, the pouring mixture is still the basis of both multi-storey projects and private sector developments. The only drawback of concrete - its visual unattractiveness - is more than offset by the strength of the composition and a wide range of applications.
As a rule, the grayness of concrete walls is masked different ways: all kinds of mixtures for decorative plastering, systems curtain facades, sheathing with plastic and metal siding or painting with various tinted impregnations.
Hungarian architect Aron Loskonshi decided to take a broader look at the problem, proposing a way to transform concrete not from the outside, but from the inside. The result of long experiments with the composition was a novelty that has no analogues - transparent light-conducting concrete. In 2001, Aron patented an innovative composition, which received the international name LiTraCon (litracon).
Transparent concrete was developed to "lighten" office premises, however, it was first used for its intended purpose only in 2005 during the construction of a mansion in Germany.
What is transparent concrete made of?
The light transmittance of litracon is conditional: in fact, through this material you can only see the contours or color of the silhouettes behind it. In this case, the room must be illuminated from the inside. In bad weather or evening time transparent concrete looks no different from classic version, his amazing properties exhibits artificial lighting or sunlight.
Litracon contains fine-grained concrete and fiber-optic fiber (fiberglass), which creates a reflective matrix. The diameter of glass fibers varies from 2 microns to 2 millimeters, and the percentage is about 5% of the total mass of concrete.
Optical fiber does not have a noticeable effect on the strength, sound and noise insulation characteristics of the material, therefore, in all properties, litracon is equal to concrete.
Areas of application. Technical characteristics of light-transmitting concrete
Light-transmitting concrete has become a real discovery for designers and planners. Thanks to its originality, it can be used for buildings and premises in high-tech and modern style:
- Walling.
- Interior partitions.
- Surface cladding of walls and columns.
- Architectural forms- fountains, lamps, benches.
- Household use- countertops, washbasins.
- Construction of load-bearing walls.
The only disadvantage of litracon is its exorbitant cost, reaching several thousand euros per square meter. The price category, due to the use of very expensive fiber optics, makes translucent concrete inaccessible for mass development. However, for decoration and zoning various rooms Litracon is being used more and more often.
The German concern LUCEM currently produces blocks and panels from light-transmitting material under the trademark of the same name:
The front surface of blocks and panels is polished to a mirror shine.
Installation and operational features
Litracon is immune to temperature changes and ultraviolet rays, therefore can be used for both interior and facade work.
Blocks of translucent concrete are laid out using mortars on lime or cement based or glued together with a special composition based on epoxy resins and quartz flour. Litracon masonry meets all safety standards, including fire safety standards, and can be used for load-bearing walls.
Transparent concrete panels intended for interior decoration. They can be mounted on walls using frame structures or anchor bolts, and can also be used as floor coverings.
It should be noted that the thickness of the litracon does not affect its light transmittance in any way; the only condition is the presence of a light source.
The high cost of the new product made it inaccessible to a wide range of buyers. Translucent concrete is not yet produced in Russia. Lovers of the exclusive can treat themselves to a custom-made “lamp” from abroad. True, this pleasure will cost a pretty penny: a ten-kilogram cube costs about 600 euros excluding delivery.
Olga Danyushkina, rmnt.ru
Concrete is one of the most durable building materials with exceptionally high technical and performance characteristics. The undeniable advantage of the material in question is its long service life. Despite the fact that the concrete composition has a number of advantages, it is not without its disadvantages.
Main disadvantage cement composition- unattractive appearance, he needs decorative finishing. However, construction technologies are developing by leaps and bounds. As a result, technologists have developed a fundamentally new type of concrete - translucent.
We are talking about a building material that allows you to create realistic silhouettes of animals and people, which in essence is an excellent design solution for the construction of objects and buildings. Transparent concrete is easy to make with your own hands, which helps reduce the cost of expensive building materials.
Definition of transparent concrete
Transparent concrete is a unique building material invented by Mr. Losonczy, one of the leading Hungarian architects. He was looking for the possibility of providing his structures with additional lighting, while the technical characteristics of the cement composition were in no way deteriorated. As a result, the architect decided to change the internal components of the building material.
After 15 years of continuous research and experimentation, he managed to develop and introduce construction industry a fundamentally new decorative and finishing material - transparent concrete. It was named Lytrakon. Fine-grained composite compounds based on fiberglass are introduced into the material.
The main disadvantage of transparent concrete is that production is impossible on a large scale and volume, so they are produced mainly in the form of building blocks.
Despite obvious advantages transparent concrete should not be ignored and their key drawback is the high price of the materials used. In total, the price tag is approaching several thousand dollars.
Specifications and features of transparent concrete
Transparent concrete is distinguished not only by its unique appearance, but also by the following characteristics:
- thermal insulation;
- water resistance;
- high strength characteristics;
- possibility of self-production;
- sound insulation.
- high bending and compressive strength;
- frost resistance;
- the level of moisture absorption increases to 6%.
Light is transmitted through a special optical fiber included in the building material. Due to it, better transmission of light is ensured over a length of up to 2 m. Optical fiber is resistant to temperature fluctuations, thermal effects, and ultraviolet radiation.
IN daytime day, such transparent concrete allows natural light into the living space. In this way you can provide room lighting personal plot, garden area. The material is available in gray, white and black colors. Light-conducting elements are fixed mortars, anchors, or other fixing compounds. Today the blocks are available in various color options.
Application area of transparent concrete
Litracon is used to form unique design elements:
- internal partitions;
- stairs;
- countertops;
- facades of buildings.
Do-it-yourself technology for producing transparent concrete
You can organize the production of transparent concrete yourself if you carefully approach technological process. the main problem- the technological complexity of preparing litracon, and to be more precise, the need for strict adherence to the necessary ingredients.
To obtain a light-conducting structure, it is necessary to prepare 4% of fiber optic cement from the total mass of the composition. It is equally important to lay the threads in in the right direction, - they are located in strictly one direction.
To prepare litracon with your own hands, it is important to prepare several components:
- purified water;
- cement mixture with the addition of fine-grained aggregate;
- fiberglass.
- It is first necessary to make a box, which is a floating formwork. It moves in the vertical direction when the bulk of the solution hardens.
- The finished box is mounted on a preparatory surface, previously leveled. After this, the prepared mixture is fed in a small volume into the base of the formwork.
- After this, the fiberglass is laid in the already poured concrete mixture, slightly recessing the material.
- Then you need to wait for the solution to set, and only after that the next portion is poured.
- The pouring is repeated and the fiberglass is installed. The frequency is repeated until the formwork is completely filled.
- Dismantling of the formwork and grinding of the blocks begins after the completion of pouring the last layer.
After the formation of transparent concrete is completed, final grinding begins. For this purpose, stripping is carried out. It is carried out 3 days after installation of the formwork. In conditions of low humidity, the manufactured blocks can withstand for 5 days.
Lytracon - common modern material, distinguished not only by its impeccable style and appearance, but also by its exceptional technical characteristics.
For more than 50 years, concrete has been the most popular building material. Due to their high strength, density and resistance to temperature changes, concrete bases last the longest. But this material has rather poor aesthetic qualities, which significantly narrows the scope of its use in construction. To solve this problem, transparent concrete (or as it is also called light-transmitting or “Litracon”) was developed. This is an innovative material that is just beginning to conquer the market. Let's take a closer look at what is included in this material, what properties it has and where it is used.
What is transparent concrete?
This modification was developed by the Hungarian architect Aron Losonczi, who experimented with building materials. With his light hand, 15 years ago, light-conducting concrete was born, which consists of:
- cement;
- fine-grained sand;
- fiber-optic fibers (thread diameter 0.5-2.5 mm), which act as a light-transmitting filler;
- specialized additives that improve the formability of a low-moving solution.
Coarse fillers are not used in the production of translucent concrete.
Fiber optic glass threads must be certified. The documents indicate that the material is environmentally friendly.
It’s worth saying right away that the cost of high-quality transparent concrete is very high; if you have the opportunity, it is better to order the material from Europe. However, domestic manufacturers have already begun to master the technology for producing this unique composition. True, this did not reduce the price much.
Cost of transparent concrete
Today, two companies Litracon and Lucem are selling this unique material on the Russian market. However, it is worth considering that these companies are not manufacturers. These are intermediaries of official European companies that produce luminous concrete. Accordingly, the price does not take into account delivery costs.
However, you can order decorative slabs of any size, shape or color. You can even purchase canvases in which fiberglass fibers will be laid out in the shape of a logo or product, as well as blocks equipped with LED backlighting. Of course, the cost in this case will be many times higher.
If we talk about the price of “standard” panels made of transparent material, then:
- A Litracon Classic prefabricated panel measuring 1200 x 400 mm and 25 mm thick will cost at least 90,000 rubles. If the thickness is increased to 200 mm, then it will cost 320,000 rubles.
- A Litracube Lamp block measuring 221 X 175 X 175 mm and 25 mm thick will cost a little less. You can pay for it from 54,000 rubles.
- A lightweight concrete slab from Lucem (1250 X 650 mm) with a thickness of 15-50 mm will cost at least 90,000 rubles.
- The Lucem luminous tabletop measuring 1200 x 600 mm will cost 89,500 rubles.
Shipping costs are added to all prices.
Many believe that due to its transparent structure, such concrete has very low strength and other characteristics. Let's take a closer look at them.
Properties of transparent concrete
Despite its transparency, this material has the same properties as ordinary concrete. Moreover, in some indicators it even surpasses its “gray brother”. This is explained by the fact that it contains fiberglass, which is an excellent reinforcing material.
The luminous material has the following characteristics:
- strength: compressive strength in the range of 20-35 MPa, bending strength 30 Ptb, and tensile strength not less than 2;
- density – 2300 kg/cm 3 ;
- thermal conductivity – 2.1 W/(m∙K);
- frost resistance up to F75;
- waterproof - W4-W8;
- sound insulation properties - 46 dB;
- water absorption within 6%.
At the same time, the material, which freely transmits the light beam, is not affected by UV radiation. However, there is a risk of minor alkali silicate reactions occurring in the event of heavy rainfall. Therefore, it is better to choose products with a thinner thread section, then damage will be minimal.
The thickness of transparent concrete slabs usually does not exceed 20 cm. However, this indicator does not in any way affect the light transmittance of the material. Even if the wall thickness is 2 m, light will still pass through it freely.
During the day, the slabs transmit natural light, and at night - artificial light, thanks to which you can achieve very unusual design solutions both in the interior of an apartment and when building a country house.
Scope of application of transparent concrete
Since the blocks are available in any size and color, polished or matte, their scope of application is unlimited. Products of this type can be used in construction. They are optimal for interior decoration, as well as for the construction of:
- partitions;
- stairs;
- inserts and much more.
The luminous panel can be used along with products made from standard concrete. However, the cost of transparent building material is so high that it is used only in the construction of buildings of special architectural significance.
If we talk about ordinary citizens, they often use this unusual composite for the manufacture of:
- benches;
- countertops;
- shells;
- decorative fountains;
- illuminated niches in the walls.
If you spend money on small panels, you can make a cube out of them and place a lamp inside it. Thus, you will get a very unusual lamp.
Also, you can make a bar counter from transparent concrete, which will separate the kitchen and bedroom in a studio apartment.
Of course, no one wants to buy panels costing 90,000 rubles for an ordinary night light. In this case, you can try to make a transparent composite yourself.
How to make transparent concrete
First of all, it is worth saying that the production of such a composite requires specialized equipment. Since the components of the composition are laid in layers, treatment is required after each subsequent layer. However, there are artisanal methods that allow you to prepare a material that resembles transparent concrete with your own hands.
To do this you will need:
- 1 share PC;
- 2.5-3 shares of sand (it should not contain loam and dust);
- light-conducting filler - (no more than 5% of the total mass of the batch);
- modifying additives.
- 0.5 parts running water.
The solution is mixed in a forced mixer (it is better to prepare concrete in small portions). First you need to displace the sand and cement. After this, water is added to the mixture and the solution is mixed for at least 6 minutes. At the following stages, the following operations are prepared and performed:
- A layer of concrete about 0.5-1 cm high is laid in the formwork.
- A layer of fibers is placed on it (they need to be pressed a little into the solution).
- After this, you need to wait until the layer “sets”.
- The procedure is repeated until the formwork structure is completely filled.
After this, you need to wait about 72 hours and remove the formwork. For a week, the workpiece must be stored at a temperature of +20 degrees and air humidity of at least 95%. After 7 days, the concrete will gain maximum strength, then it will be possible to grind the surfaces. For finishing, it is best to use diamond blades.
Finished blocks are installed using standard masonry mixtures. For gluing products, you can use epoxy resin with quartz filler.
In custody
Transparent concrete is very expensive, so no one uses it to build houses. However, if you use it for decorative purposes, you can achieve a stunning effect.
