Manufacture of expanded clay
If you translate the name of this material from Greek, it literally means "burnt clay".The clayite is very similar to gravel, looks like round or oval shaped granules of various sizes, which were made during the rapid firing of low-melting clays.
The production process is actually divided into two main stages: first, conditions are created for a heat stroke to impart porosity to the material, and then the surface is melted. Thus, the claydite acquires a certain shell and becomes very resistant to any external influences.
The quality of the product is determined by the accuracy of the procedures performed. For example, the density of expanded clay can be 200-400 kg / m3, it directly depends on the treatment mode. The lower the density, the higher the degree of thermal insulation of this material, and its structure is more porous.
Plus, the size of each granule can vary from 2 to 40 mm. They are also divided into fractions. It is based on the size, this material is conventionally divided into expanded clay gravel, crushed stone and sand.
The main properties are: excellent heat and sound insulation, moisture and frost resistance, durability and reliability, fire resistance, environmental friendliness, chemical inertness, acceptable cost and, at the same time, high quality.
Expanded clay: application of
Very often the question arises - for what does claydite need? Due to the diverse characteristics of this material, its scope of application is extensive. First, makes the insulation of walls, floors, cellars, roofs of out of it. For example, floor screed with expanded clay reduces about 70-75% of the total heat loss. In addition, it also provides insulation and pipelines. Secondly, its is used when laying all sorts of foundations to reduce the depth of .
Thirdly, using claydite with the installation of sidewalks and garden paths is simply necessary. It is made of a special pillow, which forms a dense layer and withstands significant pressure. In addition, the tile well lays on the expanded clay. Fourthly, this material is useful to gardeners, since some of its addition to the soil allows the plants not to wither .Also he does not allow insects and rodents to destroy the roots of plants .
How to calculate the amount of expanded clay?
After you have determined what claydite is used for and chose it as a material for the work, one more question arises: what is the amount to use? General recommendations in this case is difficult, because it all depends on the design of the floor, roof, walls( with insulation).
But still want to know at least the approximate amount that is needed when finishing. To do this, determine the coefficient of heat resistance( m2 * oC / W), prescribed in SNiP II-3-79 *( for each building of its own).Expanded clay, whose flow is set by this parameter, will be calculated as accurately as possible.
For example, the overlap of buildings that were built after 2000, should create a heat resistance of about 4.16 m2 * oC / W, and located under the arch - about 4.7 m2 * oC / W.In the first case, the thickness of the layer of expanded clay should be 2 meters, in the second - 2.2 meters.
But if you do not have all this data, and you have no idea what SNIP is for your house, then you can make it easier. Calculation of expanded clay is carried out by ordinary comparison with other building materials. You simply measure the thickness that is available.
Further, you estimate that 10 cm of expanded clay is equivalent to 80-120 cm of brickwork, 25 cm of board or 60 cm of claydite-concrete wall. It's simple. Well, at the last stage in accordance with this independently determine the consumption of expanded clay per square meter.
