Obtaining Foam Concrete Applying Stabilized Foam

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study is to obtain better quality foam concrete. In the process of preparing proteinbased foam the technique of stabilizing foam with colloidal sol solutions is used. Methods: The idea of stabilization implies the following: The interaction at the boundaries between the foam layer phase and the colloidal sol phase becomes possible if silica sol or iron-bearing sol is used. This interaction results in generating the complexes that increase strength of the foam and that of the foam concrete slurry and thus improve the properties of the resulting foam concrete. Findings: The study investigates the parameters that characterize different limitations on manufacturing foam concrete for construction purposes and shows the achieved levels of changing basic structural and technical properties. Besides, the methods of instrumental analysis are used to demonstrate the phase changes occurring in the non-autoclaved foam concrete when stabilized foam is used in the process. The study also shows the possibility to increase the strength of the items made of foam concrete employing the methods of penetration surface treatment with silica sol solution and ironbearing sol solution. Apart from structural and technical properties, the study also considers geoecological protective properties of foam concrete. Applications/Improvements: The results of the study can be used in commercial production of normally cured foam concrete with improved performance characteristics.