PROCESS FOR MAKING AERATED CONCRETE

Abstract: Process for making aerated concrete whereby the aggregates consisting of sand, fibersand other materials, are previously treated by being mixed with the dispersion obtained by adding surface-active agents and reactive metal powder in a basic environment to an aqueous solution of a hydro-soluble cellulose derivate, and by drying hot while mixing to obtain, by placing the aggregates thus treated into the mixer together with the cement or other binder and water, formation of macrovoids distributed with maximum uniformity.

Description: Title "PROCESS PUR MAKING AERATED CONCRETE" Present state of the art It is known that absorption of air by concrete, and its ex¬ pansion by formation of macrovoids, provides considerable advantages such as greater lightness, increased resistance to frost, better heat insulation and protection from noise, dehu idification of brickwork helped by aerated plastering, lower retention of humidity in new buildings. It is also known that the percentage of air to absorb will vary according to the purposes to be fulfilled. Distribution of the macrovoids throughout the concrete must however be as uniform and regular as possible so that the benefits brought by their function shall be equally effec¬ tive at all points. Various additives are used to form macrovoids, such as: resinous acids and their salts, fatty acids and their salts, alkyl-aryl sulphonates, alkyl sulphates, phenol-e hoxylates, ionic and non-ionic surface-active agents generally-, reducing metal powders able to develop gaseous hydrogen in basic aqueous environments (aluminum in most cases). Use is made of different processes. During mixing, the fαL lowing are put into the mixer: a) surface-active or reactive additives, or both, b) mixtures in powder form consisting of aggregates .and ad- ditives, c) an -aqueous dispersion, in foamy form, of surface-active and reactive substances. It is clear however that these processes will not alone en¬ sure perfectly uniform dispersion of the additives through- out the whole mixture and consequently uniform distribution of the macrovoids. If additives are put into the mixer singly, quantities are in fact usually limited so that they can ' be uniformly dis¬ tributed. Further, reaction times are negative in their effects parj; ly because these reactions tend to develop in the mixer it self while ' it is intended that they should mainly o ccur when the concrete is in place so that the resulting micro- voids form v/hen the concrete will be no longer disturbed. V/hen mixtures of aggregates and powdered additives are used the differing specific gravities of the component materials tend to impede achievement of uniformity from the time when preparation of the mixture begins. In the same way the problem of uniform distribution of the macrovoids cannot be solved by prior transformation of a di spersion of additives in foam because the foam itself is in substantial. If, according to the purpose for which the concrete is made, differing degrees of aereation (and different sizes of macro voids) are required, the systems considered do not facili- tate the making up of various proportions, even if always limited and therefore difficult to measure or weigh out. Where mixtures contain various types of additives problems arise of homogenizing and stabilizing it if it is fluid. If the mixture consists of powders, the larger particles of materials will inevitably sift down to the bottom in time. This present invention eliminates or lessens the above drawbacks and, further, offers considerable advantages as will be explained below. Description of the invention Subje ct of the invention is a process for making aerated concrete in accordance with which a solutio'n of a hydro - soluble cellulose derivate is prepared in water and t ci τϋs is added a surface-active agent and a metal powder reac¬ tive in a basic environment. The dispersion so obtained is mixed into , and evenly ab¬ sorbed by inert materials such as sand , fibers or whatever else is to be mixe d with the cement or other binders and the water. A drying proce ss is then carried out by mixing under heat so as to achieve actual modification of the above aggreg ~ fes by absorption or piling together. The aggregates thus treate d are pat into the cement mixer together with the cement or othe r binding material and the whole is mixe d dry for as long as ne cessary for a perfe ct¬ ly uniform distribution of the ingredients , water being • added during the move ment and mixing done for the length of time neede d for the m all to be completely wetted . Production of gas , during mixing, generated by the reactive powder will cause f ormation of air bubbles , practi cally grain by grain or fiber by fiber , absorbed by the mass of material and therefore of macrovoids distributed with max imu uniformity . The liquid or pasty surface-active foaming agents that as_ sist distribution and stabilization of the reactive powder on the grains of sand or on the fibers and contribute to formation of the macrovoids , are ionic , non-ionic or both associate d toge ther. In one type of execution the reactive powder is aluminum which , in the pre sence of water and in a basic environmaat, develop s hydrogen , the hydro-soluble cellulose derivate is carboxy ethylcellulose while the surface-active agent is a sulphonate. The quantity of cellulose derivate that ensures mechanical stability of the metal to abrasion and plasticity of the mixture, is in relation to the surface area of the aggre¬ gates while the type e£ said substance is in relation to the speed of formation of the desired dispersion. By making a suitable selection of the various additives, such as reactive powder, cellulose derivate, surface ac- tive agent, and others, mixtures can be prepared already complete with cement or with any other binders or plasti- cizers, so that only water need be added to the material in the cement mixer. By a suitable choice of the above elements, waterproofing properties, in addition to the macrovoids, can also be gi ven to the concrete. By making a suitable choice of the various, elements, the process can be applied using any type of cement, lime or binder generally speaking. If the treatment can be carried out rapidly by using a suitable type of machine, basic types of aggregates and surface-active agents can be employed to stop oxidation of the metal powders which cannot proceed in the absence of water. Advantages Additive proportions can be established very easily and with great accuracy. The additives are evenly distributed throughout the ce¬ ment with consequently uniform distribution of macrovoids. Difficulties caused by varyiσnsspecific weights of the components and their different behaviours, can also be overcome. As results are constantly the same, practically identical reproduction of the characteristics becomes possible in all varieties of composition. During transport, in the pre- ixing stage of dry cement and aggregates for preparation of the mixture , the cellu¬ lose derivate protects the treated aggregates from pheno¬ mena of abrasion. By means of the process described , it is especially possi_ ble to obtain optimum formation of : - castings of concrete or reinforced concrete , - de-humidifying, noise-deadening, heat-insulating cement plastering protected against the effects of frost. As the applications of the invention have been described as examples only not limited to these , it is understood that every equivalent application of the inventive concepts explained, and every product executed and/or operating in accordance with the characteristics of the invention, will be covered by its field of prote ction.

Claims: Claims 1. Process for making aerated concrete characterized in that the aggregates consisting of sand , fibeis and other materials , are previously treated by being mixed with the dispersion obtained by adding surface -active agents and reactive metal powder in a basic environment to an aqueous solution of a hydro-soluble cellulose derivate , and by -_ ~ ing hot while mixing, so as to obtain, by absorption or by aggregation, actual modification of said aggregates , and , when the aggregates so treated are put into the mixer to¬ gether with the cement or other binder and the water, to se cure , when mixing takes place to develop the gas gene¬ rated by the reactive powder, practically grain by grain or fiber by fiber, the formation of macrovoids distribu- ted with maximum uniformity. 2. Process for making aerated concrete as in claim " 1 , cha racterized in that, after putting the treated aggregates together with the cement or other binder into the mixer, dry pre-mixing is done for as long as necessary to obtain optimum uniformity of distribution after which water is added while mixing proceeds for as long as needed to wet all the ingredients thoroughly. 3. Process for making aerated concrete as in, claim 1 , cha racterized in that the cellulose derivate is chosen accor_ ding to the speed at which the dispersion is to be made . 4. Process for making aerated concrete as in claim ^ cha ^ racterized in that the quantity of cellulose derivate is calculated according to the surface area of the aggregates. 5. Process for making aerated concrete as in claim 1 , cha racterized in that the hydro-soluble cellulose derivate is carboxy e thy 1 cellulose . 6. Process for making aerated concrete as in claim 1 , cha racterized in that the surface -active agent is a sulpho- nate . 7. . Process for making aerated concrete as in claim 1 , cha racterized in that the reactive powder is aluminum. 8. Process for making aerated concrete as in claim 1 , cha racterized in that mixing of the aqueous dispersion with the aggregates is forced. 9. Process for making aerated concrete as in claim 1 , cha racterized in that mixtures are prepared of treated aggre gates , complete with cement or other binders or plastici- zers , so that water only has to be added in the mixer.

Inventors: DE CHIFFRE CHIARA, DE CHIFFRE ENRICA, DE CHIFFRE, CHIARA, DE CHIFFRE, ENRICA
Applicants: CHIFFRE CHIARA DE, CHIFFRE ENRICA DE, DE CHIFFRE, CHIARA, DE CHIFFRE, ENRICA
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C04B38
IPC codes: C04B28