Possibility for obtaining cellular concretes based on serpentine materials

The paper presents a complex of studies, aimed at obtaining cellular concrete based on unfired man-made magnesia material - serpentine. The test methods, applied in the paper, are shown. The properties of materials are described. A method of making cellular concrete based on serpentine and orthophosphoric acid was developed. In the course of a two-factor experiment, the key properties of cellular materials were defined. The nature of influence of the selected factors on the properties of compositions was identified. We found out the optimum amounts of orthophosphoric acid and the filler - ash, which will allow one to obtain cellular concrete that would be as good as gas concrete in terms of its physical and mechanical properties. The material, developed on the basis of serpentine and orthophosphoric acid, complies with the requirements of GOST 25485-89: density D 1,200, strength class B 10. A composition with such properties can be obtained in at ms+a/mo = 0.7 – 0.8; ma/ms = 0.11 – 0.17. The heat conductivity coefficient of the selected composition: λ = 0.1647 W/(m·°C). The nature of porosity of the materials being obtained was identified; the structure drawbacks and ways of their elimination were shown. The prospects of further research were identified. (paper)