Foam Concrete Characterisitics

freeze, thaw, resistant, resistance

Characteristics of PROVOTON Foam Concrete 1. Low coefficient of permeability The hydraulic conductivity of porous materials generally decreases with an increasing amount of air in the pores of the material. PROVOTON foam concrete is made up with a matrix of non-interconnecting micro bubbles, or air voids, thus the material has a relatively low permeability. Typical coefficient of permeability of PROVOTON foam concrete is > 1x10-5 cm/s. ASTM D 5084 - 90. 2. Low water absorption The solid matrix of cementitious slurry surrounding the fine cell structure of the PROVOTON foam concrete greatly reduces the capillary action of moisture through the material. From our research and testing program, we have produced extensive data on the effects of water ingress due to external water pressure on the foam concrete. With the data, we can calculate what the in situ density of PROVOTON foam concrete will be over time (up to 100 years). Dutch CUR 59, Water Ingress Due to External Water Pressure. 3. Freeze/thaw resistance Primarily due to extremely low water absorption of PROVOTON foam concrete, the capillary water absorption (actual saturation degree) into accessible pours of the material never reaches a point of critical saturation (critical saturation degree), at which point damage could occur. Fagerlund Method (Rilem 4 CDC), Determination of Frost/Thaw Resistance of Porous Materials. 4. Thermal insulating properties Since the makeup of low density PROVOTON foam concrete contains a very large air content in the closed cell structure (up to 80% air), the material provides for good insulating properties. The high air content also provides for good sound insulating and excellent fire resistance qualities of the material. Typical R value for a 30 pcf density foam concrete would be 1.35/ per inch thick. 5. Energy absorbing qualities Due to the dense cell structure of PROVOTON foam concrete, as the material is compressed during an impact, the resistance of the foam concrete increases absorbing the kinetic energy. And since hardened foam concrete forms a solid matrix, the material is not vulnerable to seismic shock waves, thus ideal for bridging over soils susceptible to liquefaction. (Recommended by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in fault zones). 6. Susceptibility to breakdown Unlike some synthetic lightweight fill materials, hardened foam concrete is not susceptible to breakdown due to hydrocarbons, bacteria, or fungi, and is insect and rodent proof. The PROVOTON foaming agent, which is protein based, forms a durable micro bubble, and is not affected by hydrocarbons or other chemicals that may be present during placement of the foam concrete when it is in its liquid state. With some foaming agent there may be detrimental effects of the finished foam concrete.