Polyurethane Foam As Aggregate For Thermal Insulating Mortars and Lightweight Concrete
Polyurethane Foam As Aggregate For Thermal Insulating Mortars and Lightweight Concrete
Polyurethane Foam As Aggregate For Thermal Insulating Mortars and Lightweight Concrete
ISSN 1330-3651
UDC/UDK 678.664.016:[691.55+691.322]
Vojtěch Václavík, Tomáš Dvorský, Vojtech Dirner, Jaromír Daxner, Martin Šťastný
Preliminary notes
The contribution describes the use of polyurethane foam after the end of its life cycle as an aggregate both for thermal insulating mortars for various wall
surfaces and for lightweight concrete. The structure and the physical and mechanical properties of thermal insulating mortar are described here. The
verification of application of thermal insulating polyurethane mortar in the thickness of 50 ÷ 70 mm to a reference building, where external walls were
insulated, is provided further. The second important area dealt with in this contribution is that of lightweight concrete, for which polyurethane foam of
grain size of 0,125 ÷ 6 mm is used as an aggregate. The physical and mechanical properties of polyurethane concrete of various densities and an example
of its prefabrication are presented.
Keywords: aggregate, lightweight concrete, mechanical properties, physical properties, polyurethane foam, thermal insulating mortar
Prethodno priopćenje
Prilog opisuje uporabu poliuretanske pjene nakon završetka njezinog životnog ciklusa kao agregata i za toplinske izolacije žbuke za različite zidne površine i za
laki beton. Ovdje su opisane struktura i fizikalno-mehanička svojstva toplinske izolacijske žbuke. Nadalje se daje provjera primjene toplinske izolacijske
poliuretanske žbuke u debljini 50 do 70 mm na referentnoj zgradi, kod koje su vanjski zidovi izolirani. Drugo važno područje kojim se bavi ovaj prilog je da se
poliuretanska pjena veličine zrna od 0,125 do 6 mm koristi kao agregat kod lakog betona. Prikazana su fizikalna i mehanička svojstava betona od poliuretana
različitih gustoća i primjer njegove prerade.
Ključne riječi: agregat, fizikalna svojstva, laki beton, mehanička svojstva, poliuretanska pjena, toplinsko izolacijska žbuka
2
Polyurethane foam – description and properties
Polyurethane foam is a macromolecular structural Figure 1 Cell structure of polyurethane foam at 25× magnification
material (thermoset), prevailingly on an organic basis. It
is produced by an exothermic reaction – polyaddition of 3
diphenyl diisocyanate with mixes of polyhydric Polyurethane foam after the end of life cycle
polyethers and polyester alcohols, activators, accelerators,
stabilizers, flame retardants, water and auxiliary blowing As aggregates for insulating mortars and lightweight
agents [6]. Due to the temperature of the chemical concrete, crumbs of hard polyurethane foam with a
reaction and due to the carbon dioxide CO2 produced, the maximum grain size of 6 mm are used. The proper
process of treatment of polyurethane foam for its screen shape must be adjusted specifically for
utilization as aggregate for thermal insulating renders and polyurethane crushing.
plasters and lightweight concrete can be described in the To avoid the crushing of the treated hard
following three points: polyurethane foam after the end of its life cycle, with
Disintegration of polyurethane using a hammer regard to its susceptibility to breaking, to a powder
crusher to a grain size of 12 mm as a maximum. with a grain size < 1 mm. Sorting of the polyurethane
Grain size reduction using high-speed knife mills to a crumb using vibrating or rotary screens, and storage
polyurethane grain size of 6 mm as a maximum. of the crumb in large capacity textile bags – so-called
Knife adjustment, position, grinding and knife mill big bags.
Property Unit
Density kg/m3 30 40 60
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Compressive strength MPa 0,20 0,25 0,40
Tensile strength MPa 0,35 0,60 0,8
Bending strength MPa 0,30 0,45 0,7
Shear strength MPa 0,15 0,20 0,30
Young’s modulus MPa 5 7 12
THERMO-TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
Thermal conductivity
λ
W/(m·K) 0,025
3
Linear expansion coefficient (for density of 30 to 100 kg/m )
1/K (5 ÷ 8)×10-5
Water vapour diffusion resistance factor (for density of 30 to 100 kg/m3)
µ 30 to 100
ABSORPTION CAPACITY (at 20 °C)
After 24 hours % by volume to 2 max 5
After 28 days % by volume to 2 max 5
CONTOUR STABILITY (at 30 °C)
% by volume 0 ÷ 0,2
Temperature range °C –200 to +140
For a short time °C +250
B2
FLAMMABILITY GRADE
DIN 4102
By the amount of flame retardant, the flammability grade and properties, i.e. self-extinguishibility, resistance to
flying flames and resistance to radiant heat, can be influenced.
Specific heat capacity kJ/(kg·K) 1,382
4 4.1
Structure of materials containing polyurethane aggregates Characteristics of feed materials classified as grains
Structure as well as texture describe and quantify the A polyurethane aggregate for insulating mortars and
character of individual material particles, their lightweight concrete was observed using both a stereo
arrangement and relations at various scales of magnifier and a microscope (observations in VIS/UV
observation. As far as polyurethane mixes are concerned, mode). As the feed material, the 0/1 mm and 0/4 mm
they have very non-ordered structures, and thus the use of polyurethane fractions were used (see Figs. 2 and 3). For
devices with different levels of magnification is necessary the better imaging of polyurethane crumb, observation of
for studying their modes of arrangement. The study of UV radiation inducing fluorescence in certain substances,
microstructure of these polyurethane materials provides a such as organic resins, was used. The fluorescent light
possibility of explaining the principle of process of generated like that can be then observed. Images obtained
structure formation, hardening and bonding between the are, in comparison with observation in normal light, with
binder and the aggregate and their interaction, which may more contrast, and thanks to brilliant colours of
help in foreseeing the long-term behaviour of the mix. fluorescent light, polyurethane grains are unambiguously
differentiable from the surrounding material.
4.2
Characteristics of prepared mixes
Figure 6 Photograph of building mixes containing polyurethane crumb
– mix containing the 0/1 mm polyurethane fraction, magnification 40×
Figure 4 Photograph of fluorescent polyurethane crumb, 0/1 mm
fraction, WB filter, magnified 40×
5
Insulating mortars
Figure 12 Photograph of solidified polyurethane mix containing the 1/4
mm fraction, UV light with WB filter, magnified 40×
Figure 15 A view of final façade from the west, insulated by means of
thermal insulating polyurethane mortar for rendering
Figure 13 Photograph of solidified polyurethane mix containing the 1/4
mm fraction, UV light with WU filter, magnified 40×
Figure 16 A view of interior arch and masonry without original plaster
inside the building
building after thermal insulating can be seen. In Fig. 16 Polyurethane foam-based lightweight concrete is a
there is a view of interior thermal insulation before the new building material that is able to replace the present-
application of thermal insulating mortar for plastering; in day lightweight concrete. It is characterised especially as
Fig. 17 there is a view of the same interior after the follows:
application. In crushed polyurethane in concrete, air is entrained.
Air entrained like that keeps a rather large amount of
heat in the material and thus decreases thermal
conductivity of the material and also causes a low
density. By coating the polyurethane grains with the
binder, this material, which is otherwise flammable,
becomes flame resistant in this combination.
It is possible to dose polyurethane of various grain
size compositions, through which the structure of
concrete can be determined in advance and the
concrete mix can be mixed with reproducible values
in any ratio. A range of possibilities, interesting from
the point of view of construction, moves from
extremely lightweight (floating) concrete to structural
Figure 17 A view of interior arch after application of thermal insulating lightweight concrete.
polyurethane mortar for plastering and after finishing (pargeting and Any segregation of individual ingredients in the mix
painting)
does not occur up to the cement-water ratio of 1,2.
To achieve suitable strength parameters of concrete
6
Lightweight concrete based on polyurethane foam mix based on this material, a corresponding grain size
curve of polyurethane should be determined, because
It is the concrete containing the crushed polyurethane it holds true that, at a certain density of polyurethane-
foam of the density of 30 ÷ 60 kg/m3 that can occupy a based lightweight concrete, the higher the number of
very special position among the types of lightweight fractions of polyurethane as an aggregate, the higher
concrete. This entirely new material fulfils all the strength.
requirements put on modern building materials. The
physical and mechanical properties of concrete containing 6.1
a polyurethane foam-based aggregate are provided in Tab. Concrete mix composition
3.
In the course of the preparation of a polyurethane
Table 3 Physical and mechanical properties of lightweight concrete concrete mix, it is necessary to realize that lightweight
based on polyurethane foam
concrete the density of which ranges from 400 to 1200
Lightweight concrete 400 kg/m3 is to be produced, individual ingredients being
Density 400 ÷ 600 kg/m3 markedly different either in density or in character. To
Compressive strength min 0,6 MPa get a homogeneous mix in this case, particles of
Thermal conductivity polyurethane are to be covered with an adhesive layer
0,10 W/(m·K)
coefficient λ acting as a binder between individual particles of
Application ceilings, roofs polyurethane and the other hydraulic mineral binders.
Lightweight concrete 600
Density 600 ÷ 800 kg/m3 6.2
Compressive strength min 0,9 MPa Examples of applications of concrete with waste
Thermal conductivity polyurethane foam
0,12 W/(m·K)
coefficient λ 6.2.1
Application ceilings, roofs, floors Prefabrication
Lightweight concrete 800
Density 800 ÷ 1000 kg/m3 Prefabricated construction represents an important
Compressive strength min 1,5 ÷ 1,9 MPa segment of building industry [8, 9].
Thermal conductivity In cooperation with Prefa Brno, j.s.c., plant Kuřim,
0,15 ÷ 0,18 W/(m·K) the application of prefabrication to concrete with waste
coefficient λ
Application floors polyurethane foam of the density of fresh concrete mix of
Lightweight concrete 1000 1100 kg/m3 was tested. The mixed concrete mix having
Density 1000 ÷ 1200 kg/m3 slump consistency S3 (100 ÷ 150 mm) was transported to
Compressive strength min 3,5 ÷ 5,1 MPa a mould of size 3000×2000×150 mm by means of an
Thermal conductivity overhead monorail distribution system. In the prepared
0,18 ÷ 0,20 W/(m·K) mould, reinforcement was placed earlier; cover to the
coefficient λ
reinforcement being 30 mm, see Figs. 18 and 19.
floors, terraces, sound
After filling the mould with concrete with waste
Application insulation panels,
polyurethane foam, compaction by an immersion vibrator
prefabricated products
was performed, see Fig. 20, and the top layer of the mould
was smoothed with a bar.
After 24 hours, a panel was lifted from the mould for 6.2.2
verification of manipulability, see Fig. 21. The 24-hour Concrete with waste polyurethane foam preparation,
compressive strength of concrete with waste polyurethane transport
foam amounted to 2,9 MPa and after 28 days, in which
the test specimens were stored in the aquatic environment, Prepared concrete with waste polyurethane foam,
the compressive strength was 5,1 MPa. which has a density of 500 ÷ 600 kg/m3, can be supplied
to customers to form a thermal and sound insulating layer
below anhydrite, i.e. self-levelling poured floors. A
typical design of construction is given in Fig. 22.
Figure 18 A view into the mould with reinforcement
Figure 4 Diagram of application of transport concrete with waste
polyurethane foam below anhydrite, i.e. self-levelling poured floors
6.2.3
Concrete with waste polyurethane foam supplied as dry
ready mix
7
Conclusion
8
References
Authors’ addresses
Vojtěch Václavík
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mining and
Geology, VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava
17. listopadu, 708 33, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
Tel. +420 597 323 377, e-mail: vojtech.vaclavik@vsb.cz
Tomáš Dvorský
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mining and
Geology, VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava
17. listopadu, 708 33, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
Tel. +420 597 329 382, e-mail: tomas.dvorsky@vsb.cz
Vojtech Dirner
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mining and
Geology, VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava
17. listopadu, 708 33, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
Tel. +420 597 324 168, e-mail: vojtech.dirner@vsb.cz