Gypsum concrete - the main features of this group of

Every year, modern technologies offer more economical and rational options for a wide range of construction works. Gypsum concrete refers to materials that are relatively new on the market, so some developers are suspicious of this option. In fact, its use allows us to speed up the work and save considerable funds, in this review we will look at the basic properties of products based on modified gypsum.

Advantages and disadvantages of gypsum-based products

The main difference between such products is the use of a gypsum mixture with modifying additives instead of cement as a binder component. This has both pros and cons, because, as you know, alabaster has a very high pouring speed and low moisture resistance.

It was these factors that caused the small distribution of such compounds, but with the advent of modifying additives, the material properties became much better: all the disadvantages were minimized while the advantages remained unchanged.

The main advantages include the following factors:

• Low weight, thanks to which it is convenient to work with them with your own hands, in addition, transportation and handling operations are greatly simplified. Also, reducing the weight reduces the load on the building structure, so you can build a less massive foundation for concrete products, which also reduces the cost of the entire project.
• Walls and partitions of gypsum binder products have excellent sound insulation properties., thanks to which the room maintains comfortable conditions for work and residence. In addition, it will be possible to avoid wasting time and money on the device for additional sound insulation.
• The price of this product group is much lower than most analogs due to the fact that the components used cost a little. And the larger the construction, the greater the amount saved, which is why more and more construction organizations choose this option.
• Dates of work with the use of products based on alabaster are much lower, this is due to the large size of the blocks. If the composition is used for monolithic construction, then the speed increases even more, because the mixture hardens in a matter of hours. This factor is especially important for those who value time.

• Low thermal conductivity allows you to save on thermal insulation, in addition, the structure of the material provides good air exchange, so that a comfortable microclimate is maintained in the room. Gypsum concrete retains heat several times better than concrete and silicate brick.
• The density of materials may vary depending on the manufacturing technology and fillers used.On average, this figure ranges from 1 000 to 1 600 kg / m³. The specific option is selected on the basis of the characteristics required in a particular design.
• You can make a variety of designs from this material.: from monolithic systems, to wall and partition blocks, and even facing sheets.

Note! Since the main disadvantage is high water absorption, in order to improve the properties it is necessary to treat the surface with a water-repellent composition.

Types of materials

The whole range of products can be divided into two large groups, which we will consider in more detail.

Products with porous fillers

As the name implies, this option is a product with a plaster binder, which used certain aggregates. Most often, the following options are used:

The main features of this type of structures can be considered the following:

• Very low cost, which is very important with a limited budget. This option is one of the cheapest, which ensures its consistently high popularity.
• The ease of the resulting structures, thereby reducing the load on the supporting structure of the building. Instructions for laying blocks is no different from similar work with other materials, and low weight allows for construction with minimal effort.

Note! Due to the low resistance to moisture and low carrying capacity, blocks are recommended to be used only for the construction of internal partitions, especially since such structures have excellent sound insulation characteristics.

Porous products

This product group is very similar to ordinary foam concrete and gas silicate.

But there are certain features:

• As a binder component, instead of cement, construction gypsum and special additives are used, giving it high performance characteristics. Due to this, the modified foam-gypsum concrete can be used for the production of virtually any kind of work, including the construction of load-bearing walls outside and inside buildings.
• The most progressive option is monolithic foam-gypsum concrete, this material allows you to work with maximum quality at minimum cost. The absence of seams on the surface allows to achieve maximum strength of concrete structures and minimal heat loss, which guarantees significant savings on energy resources.

• The work will require an ejector-turbulent mixer, to which the components are added, and the porous structure of the material is created. The process is quite simple, which allows you to work with maximum productivity.

Conclusion

If you need an inexpensive material with excellent heat holding characteristics, then gypsum concrete is exactly what you need. The video in this article will tell about some features of the material in more detail.