How to make your own foam concrete: a step by step guide

Modern housing construction involves the use of the most technological developments in the construction of buildings. Perhaps a fairly new solution in the construction of low-rise buildings is cellular concrete. This article will explain how to make foam concrete with your own hands.

It can be not only a mixture for pouring formwork, but also blocks.

Foam concrete has the following properties:

• excellent sound insulation;
• easily processed surface;
• environmental friendliness (health safety).

Also, it is well pass air. This, in turn, eliminates high humidity, guarantees the strength and durability of the structure.

Independent manufacturing method

To make foam blocks is quite realistic on their own. In this case, have to stock up on cement and other components, the price of which will be approximately 25% of the cost of cement.

Often experienced builders offer their services to create foam blocks. This is quite logical, since in this case you need to have skills in the field of engineering and chemistry.

Cost price

Calculating the cost of self-production of foam blocks, you can sincerely be surprised, because in the end the numbers will be quite small.

For the manufacture of 1 m3 material density D600 will need:

1. Cement PTs500DO - about 320 kg;
2. Foam concentrate for foam concrete - 1.5-2 l;
3. Sand - 200-250 kg;
4. Water;
5. Electricity.

In this case, most of the funds will be spent on cement.

At first glance, everything seems quite simple in terms of performance.

However, there are two main problems:

1. The quality of the manufactured material must be high to create durable buildings.
2. Production costs will be impressive.

With the equipment you can understand very easily, without spending a large amount of money.

For the manufacture of foam blocks directly, you must have:

• powerful pump;
• compressor;
• penogenerator;
• manometers and forms;
• concrete mixer.

The main goal in the creation of the material with your own hands is to ensure that the characteristics of the foam blocks meet the established standards. When you first work, of course, you will need to experiment to understand the principles of manufacturing.

In the future, skills will increase, and work will become much easier. It is only necessary to take into account that sometimes these “experiments” can be significantly spent.

Process

Foam concrete technology should be fully explored by an enthusiast in the event that he decided not to seek help from professionals.

Tip: Avoid adding any impurities.

In the manufacture of insulation of concrete, sand is not worth using. It is added if the density of the material should be about 550-650 kg / m3. In this case it is necessary to use crushed or natural sand.

Foam quality is fairly easy to verify.

To do this, just dial it in the bucket and turn it upside down:

• if the density is appropriate - the foam will not leak out;
• at low concentrations, it will begin to flow out of the tank.

Tip: Time mixing foam with the mixture affects the final quality of the foam concrete. Therefore, the less time it takes, so it will be stronger and more suitable for construction work.

Foaming solution

The frother must be gradually added to the finished mixture. For these purposes, synthetic is best, for example, Arekom-4.

If you want to make it yourself, you will need:

• Rosin - 1 kg;
• caustic soda 150 g;
• glue for joinery 60 g

The resulting mixture should:

1. Grind.
2. Heat up
3. Mix until smooth.

Tip: the production of such a foaming agent can not occur without a foam generator.

1. Get a working solution by combining the resulting concentrate with water.

Recommendations of specialists

1. You can make molds from metal or plywood. Watch in the manufacturing process for their geometric dimensions.

1. Before pouring the mixture, the metal molds should be lubricated, and the plywood should be covered with polyethylene.
2. It is advisable to carry out drying at a temperature of 50-60? C for 2 days.
3. Free the forms after the complete drying of the material and fill with a new solution.
4. Store the finished blocks on pallets.

Tip: to accelerate the hardening of the concrete material, you can use different accelerators, for example, calcium chloride. It should be added in the ratio of 1-2% of the volume of cement in the cement-sand mixture.

Manufacturing blocks

In this case, you must use specially prepared forms. When the concrete is still in the semi-hardened state, it should be cut into uniform blocks.

In the form of the unit must stay at least 24 hours. After a time, everyone is aged on a pallet at a temperature of at least +5? С. Leaving blocks alone is recommended for 15 hours.

An important characteristic of the foam block during its installation is its shrinkage.

This indicator consists of the following components:

• the quality and size of the sand used;
• aging method;
• foam block density;
• type of cement and its amount when mixed with water and sand.

Curious is the fact that foam blocks according to their characteristics and properties during operation converge with the same parameters of natural wood. However, they are much more durable in operation, and also provide a good microclimate in the structure. In the summer, these walls keep cool well, and in the winter - warm.

Such material with proper skills is made quickly enough. Most qualified developers prefer independent production of foam blocks, saving a lot of money. In addition, the work itself brings moral satisfaction.

Conclusion

Для экономии средств при строительстве хозяйских построек или жилого дома можно собственноручно изготовить пенобетон. Process не является сложным, следует лишь четко соблюдать инструкции. Материал можно применять для монолитного строительства и в качестве блоков. Видео в этой статье поможет найти вам дополнительную информацию по этой тематике.