T h e r m a l I n s u i a t i o n P r o p e r t i e s o f L i g h t – W e i g h t F o a m e d C o n c r e t e
637
THERMAL INSULATION PROPERTIES OF LIGHT-WEIGHT
FOAMED CONCRETE BY PRE-FOAMING METHOD
Ji-ho Choi
1
& Jin-man Kim
2
& Sang-chul Shin
3
& Ji-yong Jeong
4
1
Dept.of Architectural Engineering, kongju National University, Republic of Korea
2
Dept.of Architectural Engineering, kongju National University, Republic of Korea
3
Dept.of Architectural Engineering, kongju National University, Republic of Korea
4
Dept.of Architectural Engineering, kongju National University, Republic of Korea
Abstract
The foam agent is the surfactant as the material to lower the surface tension of
aqueous solution and heighten the viscosity. The surface tension and the viscosity of
aqueous solution influence significantly on stability and size as well as the bonding
characteristics of the foam to influence on the insulation characteristics in the light foam
concrete. Types and concentration of the foam are major factors to influence on the
surface tension and the viscosity of aqueous solution.
This study has reviewed engineering characteristics of 4 types of foam such as AES-
Alcohol Ethoxy Sulfate, AOS-Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, VS-Vegetable Soap and FP-Fe
Protein, on the basis of the thermal characteristics of foam concrete that is manufactured
by diversely changed the concentration of foam agent for 1, 3, and 5%.
As a results of the experiment, the compressive strength and thermal conductivity
following the types of foam agent have no difference under the 70% or lower density
range of the foam rate, but the difference is clearer as the density increased and the
compressive strength is more outstanding for AOS and FP while the thermal conductivity
is more outstanding in FP and VS. Consequently, outstanding insulation capability would
be available if FP is diluted for 3% or more in use.
Keywords:
insulation panel, foam agent, foam concentration, thermal conductivity
1. Introduction
With the recent global energy crisis and indiscrete abuse of fossil fuel, the global
warming issues have become more and more serious. In order to improve such an
environment, many researchers worldwide have placed concerted efforts. In order to
comply with the international agreements in Kyoto Protocol or Bali Road Map to reduce
the green house gas and participate in global effort in reducing the green house gas,
Korea is committed to reduce the energy use and green house gas discharge volume on
national level. In particular, buildings take the ratio of 25% from all energy consumptions
that it is a field to be treated with importance in green house gas reduction policies. In
order to reduce the energy use volume in buildings, it is very important to heighten the
insulation capability in buildings.
In general, buildings use organic insulation materials with fine insulation effect. The
organic insulation materials have the characteristics in vulnerability to fire that it may
cause serious human and property damages when a fire breaks out with fast dispersion
speed and generation of toxic gas. Therefore, it is desirable to adopt the non-
combustible material in inorganic insulation material for safety aspect.
For the currently supplied inorganic insulation material, ALC (Autoclaved Light-weight
Concrete) would be one. ALC uses and mixes the aluminum powder for the porous of
the light-weight concrete made through the chemical reaction thereof. However, this type
of post-foaming method is greatly influenced by the temperature and generates coarse
and irregular sized foam.
