Gas silicate blocks, the technical characteristics of which will be presented in the article, are quite common today. This is due to the fact that this cellular concrete has a low weight and excellent quality.
Composition of gas silicate
In the production of the mentioned products, high quality Portland cement is used, among the ingredients of which calcium silicate must be contained in a volume equal to ½ of the total weight. Among other things, sand is added to the mixture, which contains quartz (85% or more). Whereas silt and clay in this component should not be more than 2%. Boiler lime is also added during the production process, the quenching speed of which is approximately 5-15 minutes, but calcium and magnesium oxide in it should be approximately 70% or more. The products also include a blowing agent, which is made of aluminum powder. Available in blocks and liquid, as well as sulfanol C.
Gas silicate blocks, the price of which will be presented below, can be made using an autoclave or withouthim. The first production method makes it possible to form blocks with much higher strength, their shrinkage is also not so impressive, which is appreciated by consumers.
Products that are produced using an autoclave, but do not go through the drying stage, have 5 times more impressive shrinkage compared to blocks that are dried in an autoclave, in addition, they do not have such impressive strength, however, they cost they are smaller.
The autoclave method of production is used, as a rule, in large enterprises, this is due to the fact that this method is technologically advanced and involves the expenditure of a large amount of energy. Blocks in the production process go through the stage of steaming at 200 0С, while the pressure reaches 1.2 MPa. Manufacturers change the ratio of the ingredients that make up the mixture, which allows you to change the characteristics of the material. For example, with an increase in the volume of cement, the strength of the block will be increased, but the porosity will be reduced, which will affect the thermal performance as a result, and the thermal conductivity will be greatly increased.
Specifications
Gas silicate blocks, the technical characteristics of which are preferable to consider before purchasing, are divided into types according to density. Depending on this indicator, blocks can be structural, heat-insulating and structural-heat-insulating. Structural products are those that have a density indicated by the D700 brand, but no less. These productsused in the construction of load-bearing walls in buildings whose height does not exceed 3 floors. Structural and heat-insulating products have a density within D500-D700. This material is excellent for the construction of interior partitions and walls of buildings, the height of which does not exceed 2 floors.
Gas silicate heat-insulating blocks, the technical characteristics of which are important to know before using them in the construction of walls, have a rather impressive porosity, which indicates that their strength is the lowest. Their density is equal to the D400 limit, they are used as a material that can improve the thermal performance of walls built from less energy efficient materials.
Quality of thermal conductivity
In terms of thermal conductivity, gas silicate has quite impressive characteristics. Thermal conductivity is directly related to density. Thus, gas hydrate grade D400 or lower has a thermal conductivity of 0.08-0.10 W/m°C. As for the blocks of the D500-D700 brand, the mentioned indicator ranges from 0.12 to 0.18 W / m ° C. Blocks of brand D700 and above have thermal conductivity in the range of 0.18-0.20 W/m°C.
Frost resistance
Gas silicate blocks, the technical characteristics of which you should definitely find out before making a purchase, also have certain qualities of frost resistance, which depend on the number of pores. Thus, different blocks onbased on gas silicate are able to withstand approximately 15-35 cycles of freezing and thawing. However, technical development does not stand still, and some enterprises have learned to produce blocks that are able to undergo such cycles up to 50, 75 and even 100 times, which is very attractive, like the weight of the gas silicate block. But if you purchase products that were manufactured in accordance with GOST 25485-89, then when building a house, you need to focus on the frost resistance index of the D500 brand, equal to 35 cycles.
Dimensions and mass of blocks
Before you start building walls from gas silicate blocks, you need to find out what sizes the products can have. As a rule, blocks are presented for sale, the dimensions of which are equal: 600x200x300, 600x100x300, 500x200x300, 250x400x600, and also 250x250x600 mm, but this is not a complete list.
The mass of the block depends on the density. So, if the block has the brand D700, and its dimensions are within 600x200x300 mm, then the weight of the block will vary from 20 to 40 kg. But the brand of the D700 block with dimensions within 600x100x300 mm has a weight equivalent to 10-16 kg. Blocks with a density from D500 to D600 and dimensions of 600x200x300 mm have a weight of 17 to 30 kg. For the density of gas silicate D500-D600 and its size in a block of 600x100x300 mm, the weight will be 9-13 kg. With a density in D400 and dimensions equal to 600x200x300 mm, the mass will be 14-21 kg. Gas silicate grade D400 enclosed in dimensions of 600x100x300 mm will weigh approximately 5-10 kg.
Good pointsgas silicate block
When you know the thickness of the gas silicate block, you can learn about its other characteristics, including positive and negative sides. Among the advantages, one can single out insignificant weight, as well as strength, which is sufficient for low-rise construction. In addition, these products have excellent heat-saving qualities. Noise does not pass well through such walls, and the cost of products remains affordable. Blocks do not burn. It is possible to carry out construction using gas silicate blocks on the basis of special adhesives, which allow obtaining a seam of minimum thickness.
Negative qualities
Considering the disadvantages of gas silicate blocks, we can highlight the need for exterior decoration, which increases the aesthetics of the walls. Blocks are not so attractive when the consumer learns about their hygroscopic qualities. And before starting construction, it is required to build a solid foundation.
Price of blocks
Gas silicate blocks, the price of which may vary depending on the size, can be laid independently. Their weight does not require the use of special equipment. Thus, if a block has a size within 600x100x300 mm, then its cost per unit will be $1.8-1.9.
