Speaker
Description
Cementitious foam technology, despite being known for decades, has faced limitations in widespread use due to technical challenges. The main issues include slow setting and hardening, low mechanical performance at early age, particularly in low-density foams, as well as shrinkage problems, and limited application range.
To address these challenges, an ettringitic accelerator based on amorphous calcium aluminate is proposed. It has shown promising results in improving foam performance: such as faster structuration and hardening kinetics, enhanced mechanical resistance, reduced shrinkage and lower residual moisture. Various analytical techniques have been employed to understand the mechanisms behind these improvements including rheological measurements under oscillatory conditions, early age dimensional variation measurements (under endogenous and drying conditions), optical and SEM observations, temperature monitoring and mineralogical characterizations. The enhanced cementitious foams show potential for applications in thermal insulation, high-rise construction and to contribute to more efficient and sustainable construction practices.
Affiliations
Imerys, 1 rue Le Chatelier, VAULX-MILIEU, FRANCE, 38080, jeannoel.bousseau@imerys.com
| Title | Ettringitic Accelerators: An Advancement for Cementitious Foams |
|---|---|
| Keywords | mineral foam, ettringite system, amorphous calcium aluminate, acceleration, hardening kinetics |