Aerated concrete, also known as gas concrete or by its popular brand name YTONG, is a highly versatile building material. It’s an excellent choice for a variety of structural applications, including exterior and interior walls, support pillars, roofs, and ceilings. Composed primarily of quartz sand, cement, lime, and water, it is considered an ecologically sound option for construction. Unlike traditional concrete, aerated concrete has more in common with sand-lime brick, as both are produced through a steam-hardening process. Its distinctive structure, featuring over 80 percent trapped air bubbles, makes it exceptionally lightweight and remarkably easy to handle and process during building.
Advantages
- Durable and Stable: Offers reliable strength and structural integrity.
- Non-Combustible: Provides excellent fire resistance, contributing to overall building safety.
- Excellent Thermal Insulation: Its porous composition delivers superior thermal insulation, which helps improve energy efficiency.
- Lightweight: The low density of aerated concrete simplifies transportation, handling, and installation on-site.
- Easy to Cut and Process: Can be effortlessly cut, shaped, and worked with standard tools, thereby accelerating construction timelines.
Disadvantages
- Poor Sound Insulation: May not provide adequate soundproofing without additional acoustic measures.
- Sensitive to Point Loads: Requires careful distribution of weight to prevent damage from concentrated forces.
- High Water Absorption: Rapidly absorbs water, making thorough priming an essential step before plastering to ensure proper adhesion and moisture resistance.
- Limited Correction During Masonry: The typical adhesive method used for laying blocks offers little opportunity for adjustments once they are set.
- Special Disposal Requirements: Cannot be disposed of with general construction waste and necessitates specific handling procedures.
