Aerated concrete happens autoclave and non-autoclave, and many builders are wondering what the differences are between them.

Let's figure this out together, but looking ahead, let's say that autoclaved aerated concrete is a much higher quality material, and below we will tell you why.

What is autoclave processing of aerated concrete?

Autoclave processing – stage of processing aerated concrete with high temperature (190°C) under high pressure during 12 hours. Autoclaves are metal containers into which cut gas blocks are placed.

Autoclaving is done for the following purposes:

1. acceleration of aerated concrete hardening;
2. increased strength;
3. reduction of shrinkage;
4. improvement of structure homogeneity;
5. improvement of block geometry.

The autoclave also changes the structure of aerated concrete at the molecular level, forming new material – tobermoritis. This synthesized stone has properties that cannot be obtained under normal conditions at standard pressure and temperature.

Let us repeat that non-autoclaved aerated concrete hardens in natural conditions, and its production does not require expensive and modern equipment. In other words, many manufacturers stamp gas blocks in their garages, which does not inspire much confidence.

Now let’s take a closer look at the differences between aerated concrete, and we’ll start with strength.

Comparison of autoclaved and non-autoclaved aerated concrete

It is important to note that the video tests non-autoclaved aerated concrete, to which fiber fiber has been added; it significantly increases the strength of the blocks. But we note that in reality, not everyone uses fiber in the production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete, since it is quite expensive.

Strength

Aerated concrete without an autoclave is less durable, especially when it is fresh. After all, like ordinary concrete, it still needs time to gain strength, but autoclaved concrete has accelerated its hardening hundreds of times thanks to high-temperature steam treatment. But even with complete hardening of both materials, the strength of the autoclave is higher by half or more.

For example, autoclaved grades of aerated concrete D500 and D600 have a strength class of B2.5 - B3.5, while a non-autoclaved analogue of the same brand achieves, at best, class B2.

Shrinkage

Large shrinkage of blocks can create multiple cracks in the masonry; moreover, cracks can appear over the course of a year or more. To keep such processes to a minimum, block shrinkage should be minimal.

The shrinkage of non-autoclaved aerated concrete is from 3 to 5 mm per meter, while that of autoclaved aerated concrete is ten times less. That is, autoclaved aerated concrete practically does not produce shrinkage cracks when laid correctly.

Block geometry

The geometry of the blocks is also very important, and the smoother the blocks are to each other, the better. After all, if the blocks differ from each other by 5 mm, then the difference in level must be leveled with glue, and these are cold bridges that greatly worsen the thermal insulation characteristics of the masonry.

Moreover, thick seams give large shrinkage, which again can cause cracks. Experienced builders will tell you that the difference in levels can be leveled with a float on aerated concrete, but imagine how much time it will take.

Now let’s think about where the geometry of the blocks will be better, on high-tech factory equipment with autoclaves, or in garage conditions? The answer is obvious!

Most builders believe that the best and most even blocks are obtained from AEROC. average price per cube of their aerated concrete is 4000 rubles.

Uniformity of structure

Uniformity refers to the number of voids (bubbles) that are distributed in a certain way in aerated concrete, and the more uniform they are, the better. Autoclaved aerated concrete technology guarantees an ideal distribution of voids, due to the fact that bubbles form and harden immediately, and individual blocks are obtained after cutting one large block.

Non-autoclaved aerated concrete is made completely differently. Foam and gas-forming agents are added to the concrete mixture. As a result, bubbles can rise closer to the surface, while heavier elements fall down. As a result, the distribution of bubbles will be uneven.

Now let's think about what this threatens. Firstly, where there are fewer bubbles, there is less strength, and where there are few bubbles, there is a cold bridge through which heat will escape faster. That is, the strength and thermal conductivity of non-autoclaved aerated concrete are very unstable.

Thermal conductivity

Smoothly moving from the topic of structure uniformity to thermal conductivity, we will say that the uneven structure of bubbles worsens the average thermal conductivity of the block, and naturally, in autoclaved aerated concrete, the uniformity of bubbles is better and, therefore, the thermal insulation is also better.

Conclusion

Autoclaved and non-autoclaved aerated concrete differ greatly from each other in a number of parameters, and we can say with confidence that autoclave material surpasses its brother in all respects except one - price. Yes, non-autoclaved aerated blocks are cheaper, but if you count how many problems arise when laying them, how many additional materials, work and time will have to be done, we advise you to think carefully when making your choice.

It’s better to build a house correctly once, from quality material, and be sure that it will last for many years without problems.

Today, builders are increasingly resorting to the use of modern, lightweight materials that are not inferior to traditional ones. These include aerated concrete. Blocks are produced using two methods – non-autoclave and autoclave. What is the difference, how do the materials differ, and most importantly, which one is better to prefer?

Which one is preferable?

Fake diamond

• cement;
• lime;
• quartz sand;
• aluminum powder (as a result of the reaction of its aqueous suspension with lime, hydrogen is released, due to which bubbles appear in aerated concrete).

A small amount of gypsum is also added to slow down the thickening of the mixture.

Technology

The composition is mixed automatically. Next, it is poured into molds (approximately half). As the mass thickens, it rises to the edges, this takes about an hour or two. After this, the aerated concrete is cut into blocks using special equipment and sent to an autoclave oven for twelve hours. There he is high blood pressure at 12 atmospheres, it is treated with water vapor heated to a temperature of 190°C, acquiring the required strength.

Features and benefits

Autoclave production of blocks gives them a number of special advantages. Among them:

• high thermal insulation properties (several times better than conventional brick);
• good sound insulation;
• resistance to moisture, mold;
• correct shape, which allows for smooth masonry and finishing;
• ease of processing, speed of installation;
• minimal shrinkage during construction.

Flaws

The disadvantages of autoclave blocks include their certain fragility (it is necessary to handle the material carefully during loading and unloading, transportation and direct installation). Also, to work with such walls, special fasteners are required, ordinary dowels, screws, self-tapping screws - there are no helpers here.

Conclusion. Aerated concrete, “hardened” in an autoclave, is a good and relatively inexpensive alternative to traditional building materials. It is produced in a factory, which provides for quality control of finished blocks. However, as experts note, their installation must be done correctly, in compliance with technology.

Natural hardening

Compound

The composition of non-autoclaved lightweight concrete includes:

• Portland cement;
• sand (pure or with an additive in the form of fly ash remaining after combustion of solid fuel at thermal power plants);
• aluminum powder (as in autoclave production, it is used as a blowing agent);
• calcium chloride (accelerates the hardening process);
• various additives.

Technology

Non-autoclave production involves the same chemical reaction releasing bubbles. The resulting mass with pores is also poured into molds, but left to harden on its own, under natural conditions. To give the material greater strength, a steaming chamber is often used. For the same purposes, with a non-autoclave hardening method, “additional mixing” of additives with reinforcing properties (for example, polymer fiber, glass fiber) is also practiced.

Flaws

The finished block has virtually the same properties as an autoclave one, only they differ not in better side. Thus, they have lower thermal insulation properties. It is not so durable, it gives more, so it is not used in load-bearing structures.

Unlike its “brother” in the class, non-autoclave material does not stand out as ideal geometric shapes– when laying it, the layer of mortar will be thicker, and leveling the surfaces will be more difficult.

4.5 / 5 ( 2 voices)

Aerated concrete is classified as cellular concrete and consists of evenly closed air pores, equally distributed throughout the material. Aerated concrete blocks are an environmentally friendly and high-quality product. They are released in exact dimensions and have correct form, can be easily processed and are ideal for finishing.

Aerated concrete is distinguished by the type of binder composition and type of hardening. Product processed at high blood pressure and temperature in a specialized oven - an autoclave, has a name - autoclaved aerated concrete. He has many positive characteristics, and the use of this material improves the quality of construction, and, importantly, significantly reduces the cost of constructing the structure.

Such cellular concrete is made from crushed quartz sand, gypsum, cement, lime (quicklime), andrigid and water. At the exit, autoclaved aerated concrete is 2/3 filled with air pores. Proportions aerated concrete solution for an autoclave oven according to the standard:

• cement - 20%;
• quartz sand - 60%;
• quicklime - maximum 20%;
• aluminum residues - no more than 1%.

Manufacturing process of autoclaved aerated concrete

It is manufactured using the following technology:

• Sand and water are combined and ground into sand slurry.
• The resulting mass is poured into a mold for chemical reaction between an alkali solution and highly dispersed aluminum. This process promotes hydrogen formation to produce bubbles.
• Hydrogen bubbles foam the solution and create a porosity structure. It is at this stage that the concrete is distributed into molds and left to mature and harden for 2-3 hours.
• The hardened material is cut with industrial strings into blocks of a given size.
• The blanks are sent to the final stage - steaming in an autoclave, where the blocks are processed in temperature conditions 180-200 degrees under pressure for 12 hours. An autoclave is a sealed chamber where a product that requires heating under pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure is processed.

Autoclaving removes excess moisture from the product, completing the hardening process, after which cellular concrete acquires its final properties.

Advantages of porous autoclaved concrete

The uniqueness of this material lies in:

• low thermal conductivity;
• increased fire resistance, it is able to hold fire for up to 7 hours or more;
• breathability due to increased breathability;
• mechanical strength;
• lightness due to low density;
• immunity to pest attack;
• resistance to rotting and moisture;
• ensuring the correct microclimate in any season.

Gas blocks can hold fire for up to 7 hours or more

What aerated concrete blocks autoclave curing combine the main qualities of wood and brick, making it a unique product. And if we take into account the high frost resistance of the material (it can withstand up to hundreds of frosts and defrosts), it becomes clear that this building material can be used regardless of the regional climate, without exception.

It is also worth noting the flexible indicators of such a block. Its flexibility allows you to create structures of various shapes, embodying various architectural ideas.

The scope of application for the autoclave block is very wide: construction of cottages, low-rise and high-rise buildings, industrial and commercial construction, reconstruction work, construction of foundations. Autoclaved aerated concrete does not require a large set of tools for work. Quite enough:

• notched trowel (for working with mortar);
• large-toothed hacksaw (for sawing non-standard);
• coarse sandpaper (for leveling);
• rubberized mallet (for laying blocks);
• containers for the solution (any convenient one, a bucket is also possible).

Features of autoclaved aerated concrete

Porous concrete is special due to its low weight. Thanks to this, production allows the production of increased sizes, namely: length - 62.5 cm, height - 20 (up to 25) cm, width - 10 (up to 40) cm. Cellular concrete is very lightweight material. Its lightness and increased size make construction from it easier and speed up the process several times. It makes installation so easy that not only a specialist, but also an ordinary consumer can handle it.

The advantage of aerated blocks is perfectly even corners and plane

Almost all batches in the production of such products provide units of the same size. The maximum error is from 1.5 to 3 mm for any direction. Such forms increase the corner and rib standards for release. The result is clear geometric proportions due to the autoclave firebox. It is in it that surfaces acquire smoothness and corners become clear.

For laying concrete bricks it is recommended to use glue solution. Such a layer will not only be more economical option, but will also ensure the solidity of the building. This means it will maintain and increase its thermal insulation performance. If you choose a solution, add some glue to it, and also ensure that the mixture is more soft. This will help avoid “cold bridges” on the seam.

To understand the difference between autoclaved concrete and non-autoclaved concrete, it is necessary to consider the main features of both types of aerated concrete. The popularity of aerated concrete in construction is growing every day, which is explained by its positive properties: good strength, low density, high quality, low weight(which generally reduces the cost of foundations and floors), the possibility of laying thin, but warm and reliable walls.

Autoclaved and non-autoclaved concretes differ in their production method and, accordingly, in their performance characteristics. Initially created exclusively in conditions industrial production, but they soon found a way to produce cellular material without additional heat and moisture treatment.

Autoclaved aerated concrete is more stable, but non-autoclaved aerated concrete involves shrinkage. But if we consider their differences in more detail, it becomes clear: both types of aerated concrete are relevant for repair and construction work, it is important to know their characteristics and choose the right one for specific tasks.

Aerated concrete production technology

Autoclaved and non-autoclaved aerated concrete are produced using the same technology; the differences lie only in the accuracy of the technology and in the final stages of processing the material. The raw materials are used identically and in the same proportion.

• Fine sand 2-2.5 millimeters
• Portland cement grades M300 and M400
• Lime
• Aluminum powder or paste with an active metal content of 90-95%
• Various additives and modifiers (not necessarily introduced, but needed to improve various performance properties)
• Water

First, knead the ordinary cement-sand mortar, pour into a special mold, then add aluminum powder. As a result of the reaction of powder and lime, carbon dioxide appears, due to which the mass increases in volume, swelling and forming a porous structure. The gas release reaction must be completed before the cement sets; to intensify the process, the mold is processed on a vibrating platform. But this process is only relevant for large factories.

In small workshops they create foam concrete, which is a type. After all, according to the method of foam formation, concrete is divided into gas and foam concrete. And if in the first case the foam is created by gas, then in the second - by chemicals.

The cellular structure is created by adding and whipping special chemical foaming agents. Shops are usually small, with a small number of employees, predominantly manual labor. The production of aerated concrete is more expensive, but such a material is also more stable and has better properties.

Further, the production technology of autoclaved and non-autoclaved aerated concrete suggests differences. If autoclaved aerated concrete is produced, after pouring the mixture into the mold and starting the reaction, wait a certain time, allowing the mixture to partially harden and gain sufficient strength to remove the mass from the formwork and cut it into blocks.

The cut blocks are sent to an autoclave and fired at a temperature of +190-200 degrees, the pressure is 8-10 Bar (so that moisture is completely removed from the material). Processing aerated concrete with an autoclave allows you to: accelerate the hardening of the material, increase its strength characteristics, reduce shrinkage in the future, make the structure homogeneous, and improve the geometry of the finished blocks.

Non-autoclaved aerated concrete gains strength not in the oven, but in natural environment– without exposure to temperature and pressure to evaporate moisture. Moreover, often for production of this type The material is not used in large molds with further cutting of gas blocks, but in molds for casting individual elements.

Autoclaved and non-autoclaved aerated concrete are produced in accordance with the following regulatory documents: GOST 21520 "", GOST 25485 "Cellular concrete", as well as GOST 31360 and GOST 32359.

Properties of non-autoclaved and autoclaved aerated concrete

Autoclaved and non-autoclaved aerated concrete – completely different materials at the exit. They differ as appearance(therefore, you can immediately determine by eye what kind of concrete is in front of you), and by performance characteristics.

External indicators

Blocks of a cellular structure, cut from solid wood, are usually distinguished by greater compliance with the design dimensions. They make masonry easier, less time, effort and materials are spent on sealing the seams, the thickness of the inter-masonry joints is much smaller (and cold bridges, respectively), and the finishing of the building is simpler.

Non-autoclaved aerated concrete turns out gray, while autoclaved aerated concrete turns out almost white. If the shade is uneven and various inclusions are visible in the structure, most likely the quality of such material is not very good.

The production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete is often carried out practically in artisanal conditions - the concrete is simply mixed, formwork is used for pouring, and after hardening in natural conditions, the material is supplied for construction. All this negatively affects the quality of the final material and its basic properties.

Physical and mechanical properties

Autoclaved aerated concrete shows a density of D400-800, the compressive strength is in the range of B1.5-B5, but non-autoclaved aerated concrete gives a maximum strength of B3. On walls made of fired blocks, you can attach shelves and cabinets, air conditioners, speakers and other devices that non-autoclaved aerated concrete is not always able to withstand.

One of the main differences between the materials is shrinkage - unfired aerated concrete contains moisture, which causes cracks to appear on the walls. And density plays an important role - as it decreases, the shrinkage coefficient during residual strength increases. The process lasts about 5-10 years. Autoclaved aerated concrete shrinks by approximately 0.5 mm/mm, unburnt - by 2-3 mm/m.

Thermal conductivity indicators also vary - the property depends on the density: the lower the density, the more heat-intensive the material. To reduce the thermal conductivity of walls, it is best to choose aerated concrete with high strength and lower density.

Differences: pros and cons of materials

Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks differ quite noticeably in various indicators from material that has not been fired. Due to their different properties, blocks are used to perform different tasks; they are relevant for certain types construction. Before using a particular material in your work, you first need to study all the specifications, advantages and disadvantages.

Strength

Naturally hardened aerated concrete is less durable, especially if it is completely fresh. It takes a lot of time to gain strength. But an autoclave for aerated concrete helps speed up the process of strength gain (it speeds up hundreds of times), so after steam treatment at high temperatures, the strength of autoclaved concrete is one and a half to two times higher than its counterpart without firing.

So, for example, autoclave brands D500 and D600 demonstrate a strength indicator at the level of B2.0-B3.5, a non-autoclave of a similar brand will, at best, give class B2.

Block geometry

During the construction process, the evenness of the blocks and their compliance with the specified parameters are very important. Regardless of what kind of object is being built (a bathhouse, a garage or a residential building), the quality of the masonry is higher, the more accurately the blocks are made. Indeed, if something happens, the difference in level is leveled out with glue or mortar, cold bridges are created, and the thermal insulation properties are reduced.

Thick seams negatively affect shrinkage during the process and cracks may appear. To avoid this, the difference in levels is removed, the usual hand saw. But the time and labor costs in this case are simply enormous. It is much easier and cheaper to immediately buy smooth autoclaved aerated concrete and build a building from it.

Uniformity of structure

The uniformity of the structure is determined by the number of bubbles in the material and the uniformity of their distribution. The more homogeneous the material, the better it is - this has a positive effect on quality. Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks have a more uniform structure, since they are created quickly, harden immediately, and then the masses are cut into individual blocks.

Non-autoclaved aerated concrete is produced differently - foam and gas-forming agents may not be distributed evenly: often bubbles float up, heavy elements fall down. This has a bad effect on construction - strength decreases in places large cluster bubbles, cold bridges appear in places with a small number of bubbles. Characteristics are unstable.

Possibility of fastening

Autoclaved aerated concrete is a durable material onto which even very heavy devices and elements can be attached. It is possible to mount facades made of light expanded clay or even heavy porcelain stoneware. Thus, a 10x100 anchor can easily withstand an axle pullout load of about 700 kilograms. That is, you can attach shelves, cabinets, boilers, air conditioners, without fear that all this will fall with a piece of the wall and fasteners.

Non-autoclaved aerated concrete is much less durable - sometimes you can even press screws or nails into it by hand. No mechanical fasteners are used; lightweight objects are secured with an expensive two-component chemical anchor.

Drying shrinkage

When choosing autoclaved blocks for masonry, you can hope for minimal shrinkage during the process. Under firing conditions, concrete has already gained strength and gives a shrinkage rate of a maximum of 0.5 mm/m, while non-autoclaved aerated concrete gives about 5 mm/m - the difference is significant.

Severe shrinkage of buildings made of non-autoclaved aerated concrete can cause a lot of troubles - cracking of masonry, appearance of cracks, peeling of finishing and plaster. This can continue for several years until the concrete takes on all its strength.

Environmental friendliness

Autoclaved aerated concrete is absolutely environmentally friendly, allows air to pass through well, allows the building to breathe and helps create an optimal microclimate. Aerated concrete is created from mineral raw materials, so it is not afraid of rotting, moisture and mold.

In the case of the production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete, chemical additives are used to form foam, which already reduces the level of safety of its operation. Often, chemical components are introduced into a block with fiber impregnated with special thiocyanates, chlorides and acids, which is even more dangerous, since these substances can be released and accumulate in the air of the home over time.

Thermal insulation properties

Heat retention characteristics directly depend on density. There it is best performance demonstrates foam concrete, the disadvantage of using it in construction is its low strength. For laying walls they use more dense materials– the density kg/m3 must be at least 700 kilograms per cubic meter. And if you use non-autoclaved aerated concrete of such a density, then due to the cold bridges of thick joints, the characteristics are further reduced.

Autoclaved aerated concrete provides the same properties, but with a smaller wall thickness and with smaller cold bridges, which ultimately provides better performance.

We can conclude that autoclaved aerated concrete is superior to non-autoclaved blocks in many areas and indicators. It's about both about geometry and physical and mechanical properties. Autoclave blocks are created in a factory environment, with strict adherence to regulations and compliance with standards. It is easier and simpler to build from such concrete, the buildings are more durable and of higher quality. Completely safe and environmentally friendly material withstands any load and guarantees the best performance properties of the structure.

Comments:

Autoclaved aerated concrete is a prominent representative of porous concrete and has proven itself quite well in many countries around the world. Such materials have now been found wide application in the construction of residential and industrial facilities.

The main components of autoclaved aerated concrete: cement, quartz sand and special gas generators.

Currently, many companies are engaged in the production and sale of the material. Autoclaved aerated concrete on the market building materials presented in a wide range: different shapes, sizes and color. One thing is constant - high performance characteristics, which distinguish it favorably from other products.

Material structure

Aerated concrete is a type cellular concrete, in which air pores measuring 1-3 mm are located throughout the entire volume. Its basis is concrete mixture from a binder, filler and water.

In general, the class of aerated concrete includes (divided by type of binder composition) aerated concrete into cement based, gas silicate with lime as a binder, gas slag concrete based on slag and gas gypsum. Like autoclaved aerated concrete, greatest distribution I found a cement-based material with the addition of lime.

Air pores in the structure are created due to a chemical reaction with the release of gas. To initiate this reaction, aluminum powder or paste is added to the mixture. Thus, the composition of aerated concrete, in general, is a mixture of cement, lime, sand, water and aluminum powder residues. If necessary, additives can be added to impart specific properties. Accordingly, the structure of autoclaved concrete is a hardened concrete mass with numerous small pores evenly distributed throughout the volume.

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Manufacturing Features

Autoclaved aerated concrete gets its name from the method of hardening the concrete mass after a chemical reaction with the release of gas. Scheme full cycle production of the material is shown in Fig. 1.

The production of such aerated concrete is carried out in an autoclave in the following order. The concrete mixture is mixed to the consistency of sour cream and poured into molds to half the volume, while a shock load is applied to the mixture, during which the process of slaking lime occurs with the release of heat. Since all this happens in an autoclave, the temperature rises to 80 degrees.

Figure 1. Scheme of the full production cycle of autoclaved aerated concrete.

An active reaction of aluminum and lime begins with the release of hydrogen. The concrete mass increases in volume and fills the entire form. Pressure rises in the autoclave. Under the influence of temperature and pressure, cement hardens, clogging the pores inside its volume. During the reaction, air displaces hydrogen from the pores, filling them. In this way, a concrete structure is formed in which air pores occupy up to 80% of the total volume. By changing the mode and amount of introduced aluminum powder, the pore concentration can be changed over a wide range.

Autoclave hardening of the mass is carried out within 1-2 hours. Then the lid of the autoclave is removed and the aerated concrete is cut into blocks the right size, while complete hardening of the concrete has not yet been achieved. When cutting, the end elements of block engagement are formed (if necessary). After cutting, the blocks are again placed in an autoclave, where they are moistened at a temperature of about 190 degrees and a pressure of up to 1.2 MPa. Under this influence, the mass finally crystallizes to form a durable mineral. Final hardening and crystallization occur within 12 hours. Typically, the concrete mixture is prepared in the following proportion: cement (usually Portland cement) - 20%, quartz sand - 60%, lime - up to 20%. Aluminum residues - no more than 1%.

The main advantage of the autoclave hardening method is that when exposed to high temperature and pressure, cellular aerated concrete forms a special mineral formation - tobermorite, which has an increased mechanical strength and is not subject to shrinkage. In addition, such artificial conditions significantly accelerate the hardening process of the mass, which is very important in industrial production.

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Basic properties of the material

Due to its porous structure, aerated concrete has a low specific gravity (from 300 to 700 kg/m³) and high thermal insulation properties. The autoclave production method also provides high compressive strength, up to 50 kg/cm².

By varying the pore volume, the density of aerated concrete changes; At the same time, strength and thermal conductivity change. At the same time, changes in the main parameters occur in different directions. A decrease in density (increase in porosity) leads to an increase thermal insulation properties and a decrease in strength, and an increase in density has the opposite effect.

Based on this dependence, autoclaved aerated concrete is divided into 3 categories: thermal insulation, structural and structural-thermal insulation. Autoclaved concrete with a density of up to 400 kg/m³ is a thermal insulation type and is intended for private low-rise houses in areas with a fairly cold climate. Aerated concrete with a density of 700 kg/m³ is structural and is used in load-bearing structures and houses with several floors, but it will have to be additionally covered with thermal insulation. Structural and thermal insulating concrete with a density of 500 kg/m³ has optimal properties, which, with sufficiently high strength, provide good thermal insulation.

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What are the block sizes?

The low weight of porous concrete makes it possible to use building elements with increased sizes. Building blocks made of aerated concrete are 625 mm long, 200 and 250 mm high, 100-400 mm wide. Such dimensions make it possible to significantly speed up and simplify the laying of walls, while the weight of the block remains within reasonable limits for its manual movement and laying.

An important advantage of autoclaved concrete is the accuracy and stability of the geometry of building elements (blocks). Autoclave curing of the concrete mass in the mold allows for clearly defined edges and corners, even smooth surfaces of the edges, very high dimensional stability, which remain almost unchanged over a long production time. If you take blocks from different production batches, then deviation is only possible within 1.5 mm in all directions (first category of accuracy) or up to 3 mm for the third category. Very strict standards have also been established for the stability of ribs and corners.

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Other properties of aerated concrete

Autoclaved aerated concrete has high vapor permeability. In terms of its breathability, it belongs to “breathable” building materials, i.e. capable of removing steam from the room to the outside. This property prevents the formation of mold or fungi in areas of steam condensation.

The porous structure provides increased sound insulation properties.

The material will gain wide popularity in Europe due to its environmental friendliness. The composition of aerated concrete does not contain any harmful impurities (even aluminum is found in small quantities and in a bound state), which eliminates harmful emissions both during construction and during operation. The environmental friendliness of the composition is not disturbed even by exposure high temperatures and other climatic factors. In its own way fire safety and fire resistance, aerated concrete can be considered unique. Even prolonged exposure to open flame and thermal stress does not ignite or destroy the material.