Expanded clay block is considered a building stone, as it is formed using semi-dry vibrocompression. Rectangular contours are attached to it. The main material for the manufacture is expanded clay concrete. This element is composed of cement, which serves as a binder, as well as a filler, consisting of three components: water, expanded clay and sand.
Features of this material. Reviews
The expanded clay block has remarkable characteristics, as it is a unique building material, which combines the properties of ordinary brick together with the characteristics of foam blocks and aerated concrete. The signs of brickwork are manifested in the excellent and undeniable frost resistance of the finished product. The lightness of concrete is reflected in expanded clay blocks in that they also have large dimensions, a small thermal conductivity and low weight, which allows for quick and easy construction work.
Responses of owners of houses from expanded clay blocks note the simplicity of masonry. In addition, this material is environmentally friendly. The minus can be considered that in this material it is not always possible to reliably install fasteners.
Composition
The exact composition of this building material can only be determined after determining its specific gravity. We can assume the average figure, which is equal to 1500 kg / m 3 . Cement is taken not lower than grade M400. Among other components, it occupies 26.7%, which means its mass is 430 kg. Expanded clay in the mixture is always the most, so it occupies about 34% of the composition, which means it is contained in a mass of 510 kg.
Sand is added about as much as cement, but usually it is slightly less, so a value of 420 g is taken, which is 28%. All these elements are dissolved and mixed in water, but there should not be much liquid, since the goal is to create a mixture of moderate consistency, and not a liquid composition. Enough 120 kg of water, which will be only 9.3% of the share of all components of the compound.
Composition differences
If you reduce the percentage of cement together with sand, the specific gravity will immediately become slightly lower, therefore, in this parameter are oriented specifically to these building materials. If a light mixture is made, that is, it weighs up to 1000 kg / m 3 , and then the need to add sand can be completely ignored. In this case, it is necessary to slightly reduce the percentage of cement and increase the capacity of expanded clay.
The price for a gas block is higher than for expanded clay blocks. It should be remembered that expanded clay products can be purchased at 25 rubles, which cannot be said about gas blocks, since their price threshold is 30-35 rubles.
Features of the composition
- Cement is applied in high quality. Fractions of any kind are available, however, the product brand must necessarily be higher than M-400.
- Expanded clay can be confused with gravel, as its size and shade are similar to this building material. It is made from light clay rocks found in the natural environment by burning components. Usually, fractions in the range of 5-10 mm are used for manufacturing, which allows the formation of optimal expanded clay blocks. Experts say that this issue should be approached carefully.
- Sand acts as a filler. It is not always required, but in most cases it is present in the composition in the proper amount. It is advisable to take medium and large fractions, excluding small breeds as much as possible. Only with this can we expect excellent bonding of the other constituent elements of the blocks.
- Clean water should be added. Do not use liquid after washing any products. If possible, add purified water, which does not contain excess impurities.
Classification
For expanded clay blocks, building standards provide for clear dimensions: 88x190x390 mm and 188x90x390 mm. There are permissible deviations, however, they should not exceed 1-2 cm from the given indicators. The first size was specified for the blocks that carry out the laying of load-bearing walls. The second option is for creating partitions.
Expanded clay block, the pros and cons of which can be determined by the quality of all the faces of the product, is classified into front and ordinary elements. Such indicators determine the features of the appearance of all sides of each element. The rank and file are used for masonry walls, which they plan to veneer with an external finish that completely covers the frame. Facials help to exclude decoration and put the building into operation without finishing measures, therefore, as noted in the reviews of experts, such material can only be used if there really is a need to abandon the building's cladding.
Internal structure
The characteristics or expanded clay blocks include the presence or absence of voids. If the block is hollow, it may contain both closed and through cavities located in the vertical direction. With their help, you can significantly reduce the total weight of the material, also these holes help to purchase material at a reduced price, which often pleases buyers. For expanded clay blocks, the price varies between 25-50 rubles apiece. Solid blocks have a higher cost, but at the same time have greater strength, which also affects the weight.
Sometimes such walls from expanded clay blocks should not be laid manually, but with the use of special equipment, especially when it comes to performing hazardous work at high heights. They are often used for laying capital walls. Choosing solid blocks should be necessary if the building is tall or will be subject to significant loads. The price for gas blocks is higher than for expanded clay blocks, since they are more durable. Usually it is at least 30 rubles apiece.
Density and strength
These are the most important and decisive characteristics that help to choose expanded clay blocks, the pros and cons of which are crucial in the construction of a particular building. Density determines not only the quality and durability of the expanded clay block, but also its acoustic properties, together with energy conservation.
Product reliability also plays a role. All these indicators vary depending on the strength, so you must always clarify it before choosing the right product. When choosing expanded clay blocks or foam blocks, one should focus not only on strength indicators, but also on manufacturers' guarantees. This is an important condition that must be met when choosing a quality building material.
The filler fraction is crucial, determines the qualities that the expanded clay block possesses. The pros and cons of this material reflect the density of the product, so you should pay attention to them and control the correctness of manufacture. The range in which this indicator can vary is very wide. It varies from 500 to 1800 kg / m 3 .
It should be remembered that the price for expanded clay blocks cannot be the same, since they differ in strength characteristics. It is impossible to determine the appearance of the exact wear resistance and all the abilities of the material. Strength indicators have a wide range and amount to B3.5 – B20. If you redistribute these indicators to the exact value of the static load, then you can select values from 35 to 250 kg / cm 2 . Weight approximately allows you to identify the parameters, as it also ranges from 10 to 23 kg. The material has a service life of up to 60 years, which does not make it fully durable.
Vapor permeability
This parameter has recently become of interest to people, as it characterizes expanded clay blocks, the pros and cons of which are related to environmental indicators. At the moment, not only professional developers, but also private builders, as well as ordinary buyers, are guided by this parameter. Expanded clay is a "breathing" material, so do not worry about this.
It should be remembered that the vapor permeability of expanded clay concrete is 2 times greater than this indicator for brick. You can compare it with wood or drywall, since this indicator for this building material is slightly lower, but is on the same level with the best elements in environmental terms.
Expanded clay rooms never differ in dry air. This material absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, and if the environment becomes too dry, then immediately gives it away, which allows you to always feel comfortable. Thus, a convenient and optimal microclimate is created, which cannot be appreciated.