This article explores the critical role of aluminum powder in manufacturing aerated concrete blocks—a lightweight, energy-efficient building material. Specifically, we will examine how aluminum powder enables the formation of the material’s distinctive porous structure and review the grinding equipment offered by Epic Powder, a specialist in ultra-fine powder processing technology.
Q1: Why is aluminum powder used in making aerated concrete blocks?
A: Aluminum powder is a key ingredient because it reacts chemically with silica and quicklime during production. This reaction releases hydrogen gas, which creates millions of tiny bubbles throughout the mixture. These bubbles form a highly porous internal structure in the final cured block.
Q2: How is the aluminum powder added to the production process?
A: The aluminum powder (or paste) is first added to a specialized mixing tank to create a slurry. After thorough mixing, this slurry is precisely measured and then added to the main mixing machine, where it combines with other raw materials like quicklime, gypsum, and fly ash.
Q3: What is the main benefit of creating these bubbles (pores)?
A: The primary benefit is a massive reduction in weight. The porous structure makes aerated concrete blocks very light, with a typical density of 500-700 kg/m³. This is only about:
- 1/4 to 1/5 the weight of solid clay bricks.
- 1/5 the weight of ordinary concrete.
Using these blocks can reduce the overall weight of a building’s structure by more than 40% compared to ordinary brick-concrete construction.
Q4: Besides being lightweight, what other advantages do these blocks have?
A: The unique porous structure provides several key advantages:
1. Sound Insulation: The internal structure, filled with closed air pockets, provides excellent sound absorption. A 100mm thick wall can achieve sound insulation of up to 41 dB.
2. Earthquake Resistance: Their light weight and good overall structural performance mean they generate lower inertia forces during an earthquake, enhancing the building’s seismic resilience.
3. Thermal Insulation: The vast number of air pores and micro-pores make them exceptional thermal insulators. Their thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.11-0.16 W/MK, which is only 1/4 to 1/5 that of clay brick. For example, a 20cm thick aerated concrete wall provides similar insulation to a 49cm thick solid clay brick wall.
4. Water Resistance & Anti-Permeability: The independent small pores absorb and transmit moisture very slowly. It takes about five times longer for these blocks to become fully saturated with water compared to clay bricks. In rooms like bathrooms, tiles can be applied directly to the wall after a simple interface treatment.
Q5: What specific type of aluminum powder is used?
A: Typically, a very fine aluminum powder is used, often with a fineness standard of d97 63μm (meaning 97% of the particles are smaller than 63 micrometers). This large surface area is crucial for an efficient and uniform chemical reaction.
Grinding Solutions by Epic Powder
Producing aluminum powder with the required fineness and uniformity for aerated concrete applications demands advanced grinding technology. Epic Powder provides tailored solutions for this purpose, utilizing both ball mills and vibration mills to achieve precise particle size distributions—such as the industry-standard d97 ≤ 63µm.
Ball mills offer high-capacity grinding suitable for large-scale production, ensuring consistent quality through mechanical impact and shear forces. Vibration mills, known for their energy efficiency and compact design, are ideal for achieving ultra-fine and narrow particle distributions. Both methods are capable of producing the highly reactive aluminum powder essential for optimal pore formation in aerated concrete blocks.
À propos d'Epic Powder
Machines à poudre Epic is a leading provider of grinding and classifying systems, specializing in size reduction solutions for a wide range of industrial powders—including non-ferrous metals like aluminum. With deep expertise in pneumatic classification, mechanical milling, and system integration, Epic Powder supports customers in sectors such as construction, chemicals, and new materials. The company’s advanced equipment and process knowledge make it a preferred partner for manufacturers seeking to improve product performance through controlled powder properties.
