Expanded clay, the density of which should be known to any professional in his field and a master who wants to purchase this material for any kind of work, acts as an environmentally friendly insulation. This thermal insulation is represented by porous granules, which are obtained in the process of firing clay using a special technique. The technological process of creating expanded clay is divided into several stages. Initially, the clay swells, which is facilitated by a sharp thermal shock. This leads to the formation of porous granules. The outer part is melted, which makes the elements as stable and durable as possible against all kinds of aggressive influences.
Key Features
After you know how expanded clay is made, you can proceed to the study of the main characteristics of the material. Among them, one should highlight frost resistance, moisture-repellent characteristics, durability, optimal ratio of cost and quality, as well as highstrength level.
This material is also used to improve the sound and heat insulation qualities of structures. Considering expanded clay, the density of which will be mentioned below, one should also pay attention to the fact that it has chemical inertness. The material is not afraid of the effects of fire, and also cannot become a place where putrefactive processes will occur. However, one should not assume that this building material consists of mere advantages.
Flaws
Despite the fact that the cost of expanded clay is quite acceptable, among its features there are negative ones, because of which sometimes masters refuse to purchase this thermal insulation, choosing other heaters. This is due to the fragility of the granules, which specialists and home craftsmen should not forget about when backfilling. Among other things, expanded clay is best used only for dry backfill. The granules tend to absorb excess moisture, drying out gradually.
Properties
As practice shows, baked brick buildings are more comfortable compared to concrete buildings. Clay, which undergoes appropriate processing during the production process, conducts heat and cold rather poorly. Building expanded clay has similar properties due to its porous structure. But if you are going to use this insulation as bulk thermal insulation, then you should be aware of its thermal conductivity. For this material, it averages 0.12 W/Km. However, youshould take into account that the size of the granules may be different.
But these are not all the characteristics that you should know about before starting work. For example, it is important to consider density. When conducting compression tests, it became known that 13 percent of the volume collapsed. This allows for additional layer compaction.
Density and weight
Expanded clay, the density of which may be different, is divided into several types. If we are talking about the M-450 brand with a fraction of 10-20 millimeters, then the density of the material is 440 kilograms per cubic meter. Whereas the M-500 brand has a density of 465 kilograms per cubic meter.
But the quality of expanded clay also depends on the shape of the fractions. The granules should have a rounded shape, and the central part should be removed by an equal distance.
It is also important to know what is the weight of expanded clay. The ideal indicator is 0.95 grams per cubic meter. While the bulk density will depend on several factors, grain size should also be included. For example, one cubic meter of material, the fraction of which is 30 millimeters, will weigh approximately 340 kilograms.
Use area
When choosing the described building material, not only the weight of expanded clay is important, but also other characteristics. However, before purchasing, you must decide whether this thermal insulation is suitable for a particular area. At first glance, it may seem that the scope is not so extensive, however, granulesdiffer in excellent heat-saving characteristics, which allows the use of this insulation in the arrangement of floors, attic rooms, as well as ceilings. It is worth noting that thermal insulation is not the last of the useful properties.
Expanded clay, the density of which was mentioned above, is used as an underlying layer. More specifically, it can be used as a basis for the formation of a concrete screed. Among other things, granules can be used when backfilling the foundation during construction work. Thanks to the use of expanded clay, it is possible to significantly reduce the depth of laying the foundation, sometimes the numbers can be halved. Thus, you can save building materials, as well as prevent freezing of the ground near the base.
Expanded clay is quite often used in the construction of baths, when there is a need to insulate walls and floors with high quality. With the help of pellets, you can achieve a certain temperature, which will be maintained for quite a long time. In the event of an accident, the owner of the house will not be faced with the need to dig all the soil.
Another advantage is that after the repair, expanded clay can be reused, while it will not lose its characteristics. The described building material is excellent for creating garden paths or a drainage system, which certainly leads to an increase in productivity. The main requirement is the use of small granules.
Material cost
The cost of expanded clay is quite affordable for the average buyer. The price of the material will depend on the faction. For example, the M-650 brand, which assumes a granule size within 5 millimeters, costs 96 rubles. per bag, while its volume will be 0.035 cubic meters. With an increase in fractionation to 10 millimeters, the price decreases to 85 rubles per bag, while the volume of one bag will be 0.04 cubic meters.
Fractions of material
If you decide to choose expanded clay for construction, you should consider the fractions of this material even before the date of purchase. The size of the granules depends on the type of material. For example, expanded clay sand has dimensions of elements within 5 millimeters. As for the sand-gravel mixture, its fraction increases to 10 millimeters. Whereas expanded clay gravel can have an element size of 10 to 20 millimeters.
Material consumption
Consumption of expanded clay must be calculated individually. Most often, this material is used in the arrangement of screeds. At the same time, for a centimeter layer, it will be necessary to spend 0.01 cubic meters per square meter of area. In some stores, expanded clay is sold in liters. At the same time, to create a centimeter layer of expanded clay in the screed, 10 liters per square meter will be needed.
Conclusion
Expanded clay, fractions of which are an important characteristic of this material, can be used for various kinds of work. Forin order to achieve the desired effect, it is necessary to correctly select the size of the granules and lay the material according to the technology.
