Shlakobeton: types, independent preparation of the solution

08-01-2018

Building

Slag concrete is widely used in private building because of a number of advantages and simplicity of work with material. Due to the fact that the material is much lighter than ordinary concrete, its use allows to reduce the load on the construction of the house, while the insulating properties are maintained at a sufficiently high level. Consider the main types of this group of products, their advantages and features of use.

Slag-concrete blocks possess high operational properties

Overview of the main features of the material

Чтобы принять решение о целесообразности использования подобных изделий, необходимо знать всю информацию о них, чтобы сравнить с другими вариантами и сделать правильные выводы (читайте также статью «Бетонирование дорожек на даче – особенности проведения работ»).

Types of products

Depending on the filler used and the characteristics of the preparation of the composition can be divided into several main groups:

Slag concrete is made on the basis of metallurgical slags.. Anthracite slag is best suited, but other options also have fairly high performance. The main condition, which should not be forgotten: the material must be clean, free from black soil, plant residues and other contaminants.
Shlakopemzobeton is made on the basis of slag pumice, which is an exfoliated blast furnace slag in the form of crushed stone with a diameter of 2-3 centimeters. Another name for the material is termozit, which is why the finished material has another name - thermoset concrete, but this is the same.
Another interesting option - slag foam concrete. Adding alkali to slags gives the material high frost resistance properties, as well as resistance of products to moisture and temperature changes. Such constructions are excellent even for difficult operating conditions; lime, soda ash or caustic soda, as well as liquid glass can be used as an alkaline additive.

Addition of alkali adds strength and resistance to adverse effects.

Advantages and disadvantages of this product group

Чтобы понять все плюсы и минусы шлакобетонного дома, нужно знать все особенности материала (см.также статью «Методы склеивания таких материалов, как пенополистирол и бетон, с целью создания качественного утепления»).

First consider the benefits:

Technical characteristics of slag concrete are rather high, so it can be used for low-rise buildings for any purpose. Versatility of use allows you to use it for almost any purpose.
Excellent heat-saving properties allow you to save significant funds for heating in the future. This is very useful both in regions with cold winters and in warm belts: in such buildings the microclimate will be constantly maintained, close to the optimum.
Everyone knows that cutting reinforced concrete with diamond circles is a laborious and difficult process, but cutting products on the basis of slags is many times easier, it simplifies independent work and allows you to work in less time. This also applies to the laying of communications: if diamond drilling of holes in concrete requires special equipment, then the material in question can be drilled independently.
Depending on the characteristics of the application, you can choose both full-bodied blocks and variants with voids, which are much easier. In this case, the configuration of voids can vary greatly, but according to building codes, voidness should not exceed 40%.

Voids make products easier, but durability decreases.

Another very important property that slag concrete has is resistance to fire. The material does not support combustion, which significantly increases the level of safety of constructed objects.
Products are resistant to damage by mold and fungus, which is also important in cases when the structure is constantly affected by excessive moisture, destructive for most analogues.
Good vapor permeability of the structures makes the room comfortable for living. The properties of the material in question are close to the characteristics of wood - an ideal option for use in living rooms.
Another undoubted advantage is the low price of concrete products based on slag, due to which this option is one of the most affordable.
The possibility of building structures, as with the use of cinder blocks, and the method of monolithic structures. This allows you to achieve high strength and durability, where it is particularly necessary.

In the photo: when building walls in a monolithic way, it is important to conduct high-quality reinforcement.

Another great advantage is the possibility of making their own hands. At the same time, the characteristics of cinder blocks depend on the proportions of the components. Special forms allow you to create perfectly smooth blocks and simplify the workflow.

Special forms allow you to make blocks directly on the construction site

Of course, it is impossible not to touch upon the shortcomings, they are few:

One of the main problems is a very long period of recruiting strength characteristics. After 4 weeks, the block gains only 50% strength, and full hardening occurs within about a year.
When self-made it is very important to periodically moisten the material, otherwise it will crack.
Due to the large shrinkage, it is desirable to start finishing the premises no earlier than one year after the erection of the structure.

Tip! If you purchase finished products, then you should pay special attention to the quality of the material. Small semi-handicrafts do not have a reliable quality control system, so there is a high probability of marriage. It is better to choose proven manufacturers.

Features self-preparation solution

As noted above, the composition of slag concrete is quite simple, and it can be prepared with your own hands.

Instructions for preparing the solution is simple, but still has a number of features:

First, you need to prepare the slag, for this it is necessary to sift to obtain two fractions: first through the mesh 40 * 40 mm, and then through the mesh 5 * 5 mm. The optimal ratio of large and small fractions in the manufacture of products for the walls of 3: 7.

Too large slag granules reduce the strength of structures, and therefore sifting is necessary

Tip! In order to achieve the highest strength of finished products, it is desirable to soak the slag in water a few hours before use, this will reduce clogging of the pores with cement and increase the properties of the binder component.

Next, you should mix the two slag fractions as above, you should get a uniform mass.
Alkali is required to reduce cost and increase moisture resistance. The most popular solution is the following: cement of the M500 brand 1 part, lime powder and slaked 0.8 parts, sand 3 parts and mixed slag 12 parts. Such proportions of slag concrete allow to achieve the optimal ratio of high thermal insulation properties and strength of products.

Note! The use of lime allows not only to increase the strength, but to make the solution much more plastic, which increases the convenience of working with it.

Lime costs a bit, but thanks to it the properties of the mortar are significantly improved.

All components are mixed thoroughly. The better this is done, the higher the strength of the structures. If you do not use a concrete mixer, it is best to use an ordinary metal rake.
At last, water is added, and the composition is again stirred until a homogeneous mass.
Use ready-made solution preferably within 60-80 minutes.

As noted above, when drying it is important to periodically wet the surface in order to avoid the appearance of cracks on the surface.

Many people choose this option as the main material for the construction of the house

Conclusion

Как видите, можно сделать шлакобетон своими руками, а можно приобрести и готовые изделия. Стоит помнить, что при всех достоинствах прочность данного варианта все-таки ниже, чем у обычного бетона, поэтому обращаться с ним стоит бережнее (см.также статью «Железнение бетона: способы, материалы, последующая обработка»).

The video in this article will tell you more about some of the facts regarding the topic covered in this review.