Physico-Mechanical Properties and High-Temperature Resistance of Gypsum-Based Colored Foam Concretes

Abstract

In this paper, foam concrete was produced using gypsum material at a dosage of 500 kg/m3 as binder and 75 kg/m3 of foaming agent, and gypsum-based colored foam concrete (GBCFC) with dry unit weights below 1100 kg/m3 was obtained by using 5% coloring pigment during the production phase. Fresh state, physical, mechanical and high temperature resistance properties of the produced GBCFCs were tested. The spread diameters of the produced GBCFCs vary between 173 and 155 mm. 28-day compressive strengths vary between 7.8 and 2.7 MPa. Capillary water absorption values vary between 3.2 and 2.2 kg/m2. The weight loss after high temperature varies between 4.86 and 21.57%, while the compressive strength varies between 6.9 and 0.2 MPa. In the production of foam concrete to be used for wall and roof insulation, decorative panels and fire prevention, etc., the use of gypsum instead of cement as a binder and the coloring process during the production of foam concrete with pigment reduces the costs and the amount of CO2 emitted to nature, providing an economically positive and environmentally friendly composite production. The process of coloring this composite with pigment during the production phase has been proven by laboratory experiments to have positive effects in terms of workability and positive contributions in terms of mechanical and some durability properties.