Aerated concrete and gas silicate differences: choosing between two competing materials

Here at "All About Concrete," we explore the world of building materials to provide you with the knowledge you need to make wise decisions. Today, we’ll examine the distinctions between gas silicate and aerated concrete, two widely used solutions in the building sector. Having a thorough understanding of these materials will help you choose the ideal one for your project.

The lightweight and insulating qualities of aerated concrete, also known as AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), are well-known. Concrete is created by adding gas or air to a cement mixture, which causes bubbles to form and give the material a porous structure. As a result, a material that is strong and long-lasting but lighter than conventional concrete is produced. AAC is preferred because of its capacity for thermal insulation, which lowers the cost of heating and cooling buildings and makes it energy-efficient.

However, gas silicate, sometimes referred to as calcium silicate bricks, has a distinct set of benefits. Sand, lime, and water react chemically to form this material, which results in a dense and durable end product. Because of their great load-bearing capacity and fire resistance, gas silicate bricks are prized for structural applications where strength and longevity are crucial.

There are a few things to consider when choosing between gas silicate and aerated concrete. The material’s intended use is an important factor to take into account. When it comes to residential buildings, where ease of handling and a lower structural load are advantages, aerated concrete performs exceptionally well. It is also appropriate for climates where temperature regulation is crucial due to its thermal insulation qualities.

On the other hand, applications needing high strength and durability are better served by gas silicate. It is the perfect material for walls, foundations, and other structural elements where stability and resilience are essential due to its dense composition and exceptional load-bearing capacity. Gas silicate is a recommended option in locations where fire hazards are present because of its fire-resistant qualities, which also provide additional safety advantages.

Efficacy in terms of cost is an additional consideration. Although gas silicate and aerated concrete can both provide long-term energy savings through durability and energy efficiency, there may be differences in the initial costs and regional availability. Depending on your needs, you can choose the material that offers the best balance of performance and affordability by budgeting for the project and seeking professional advice.

The decision between gas silicate and aerated concrete ultimately comes down to the specifications of your project, including structural requirements, insulation requirements, and financial constraints. You can confidently select the material that best fits your building priorities and goals by being aware of its strengths and differences.

Tune in to "All About Concrete" for additional perspectives on building supplies and methods that enable you to construct more effectively and intelligently.

What is aerated concrete and gas silicate, and what do they have in common

To determine which is superior, gas silicate or aerated concrete, you should first learn the true composition of these materials. What is their basic makeup, what are their characteristics’ values, and how similar are they?

Composition and properties of materials: strengths and weaknesses

In actuality, we have an odd analogy because gas silicate is essentially autoclaved aerated concrete. That is to say, the primary distinction is due to the production technology, which also shapes the features of subsequent products.

It is also important to note that the composition differs slightly between gas silicate and aerated concrete, but not significantly, so the outcome is unaffected.

Cellular concrete comes in two varieties: gas silicate and aerated concrete. The structure of both materials is characterized by pores, which give the blocks their light weight and improved heat retention.

A mixture of sand, lime, cement, water, and a blowing agent—typically aluminum paste or powder—is the solution for future products.

  • In addition to the above components, specialized additives are often added to the mixture, increasing the numerical values ​​of quality indicators.
  • Cement, of course, gives strength and the more of it in the composition, the stronger and heavier the future product will be. In turn, the presence of cells contributes to a completely different outcome.
  • Let"s take a closer look at how aerated concrete differs from aerated concrete, if we talk about the manufacturing process of materials that contributed to the separation.
  • Aerated concrete can be, as already mentioned, of two types: autoclaved and non-autoclaved.

Autoclave, also known as aerated concrete block of synthetic hardening (or gas silicate, for short), is made entirely in a factory and is heat treated in an autoclave at the end.

  • In addition to high temperature, the impact is also exerted by means of increased pressure.
  • As a result, the product reaches the brand strength within 12 hours.
  • Non-autoclave, or gas block of hydration hardening reaches technical maturity in natural conditions.
  • But, even if it is affected by heat and humidity, the brand strength will still not be achieved in such a short period.
  • The optimal period is a period of time equal to 28 days.

Given how similar the materials’ qualities are, it will be pertinent to take into account as a shared feature the primary benefits and drawbacks of structures made of non-autoclave gas block and aerated concrete.

The typical advantageous traits consist of:

  • Low thermal conductivity coefficient, which, in accordance with GOST for cellular concrete, starts counting from 0.09 W * mS. This value, of course, increases under operating conditions, however, despite this, the indicator is very competitive.
  • High frost resistance. Technical documentation defines only minimum values. Equal to 25 cycles – for products intended for external walls, and 15 – for the rest, except for partitions, for which the standard has not been established.

In actuality, the manufacturer has a direct influence on how many freezing and thawing cycles are feasible. In the first instance, the product might hardly meet the benchmark; in the second, it might greatly surpass it.

Kindly take note! Regardless of the kind of aerated concrete, the frost resistance of products typically does not drop below the bar of 50 cycles due to the intense competition in the market.

  • The density of the material is designated by the Latin letter D and is in the range from 300 to 1200. The densest products are used in the construction of walls, the least dense – for insulation.

  • Strength grade. According to GOST, it is B1.5 – B 15.
  • The composition of both materials indicates their environmental friendliness. The indicator is 2. If we compare it with the indicator for wooden products, then aerated concrete and its variety – gas silicate, are inferior by only one point.
  • Fire resistance, lack of ability to interact with fire.

  • Ease of use is due to the characteristics of both materials. They can be easily sawed, sanded or cut, and, at the same time, significant efforts will not have to be made. There is also no need to use special equipment. You can get by with a hacksaw or a saw.

  • The speed of construction is quite high. This is due, as a rule, not only to the simplicity of the laying technology, but also, first of all, to the size of the products, which are relatively large.

  • A large number of possible options for cladding and interior decoration make gas blocks popular. This applies to both autoclaved and non-autoclaved products.
  • Wide selection of manufacturers, availability of materials. The range of products includes products of various sizes.
  • Application areas of materials indicate their popularity. After all, aerated concrete of both synthetic and hydration hardening is produced not only in the form of wall blocks. These include partition products, U-blocks, and much more.
  • The low price of materials only adds popularity to both.

It is also possible to combine the drawbacks of non-autoclaved and aerated concrete. The only distinction is in degree, but we will address this in more detail later.

And now, let’s just focus on the broad details:

  • The fragility of materials is obvious. During transportation and work, this is noticeable to everyone. Products are afraid of any mechanical impacts, so they should be handled carefully in order to minimize chips and rejected blocks.
  • Water absorption in both aerated concrete and gas block is high. The materials are hygroscopic and absorb moisture literally like a sponge. That is why technically correct protection is especially important. Otherwise, negative consequences cannot be avoided.

Not only can products lose a great deal of quality, they can also gradually deteriorate.

  • Fastening objects to a wall made of cellular concrete is a whole problem. You will have to purchase special hardware designed for aerated concrete blocks. And if you need to secure extremely heavy products, the fixing units should be thought out in advance at the project level. Often, they are reinforced using metal plates, for example, or bricks.
  • Another noticeable disadvantage is the low level of adhesion with finishing materials. As a result, the developer will inevitably face additional costs, which may be associated with the purchase of materials that will help increase adhesion.
  • Shrinkage is another significant disadvantage. Both materials are susceptible to it. As a result, cracks may form on the wall.

Types and scope of application of both materials

The classification is applicable to both gas silicate blocks and aerated concrete blocks since they are types of the same lightweight concrete group, cellular concretes. And yet another thing that unites them is this.

Let’s investigate more closely. To keep things simple, we’ll refer to both materials as "cellular concrete."

The range of applications can determine variations in products composed of cellular concrete based on the average density indicator.

  1. Structural products have the highest density and, accordingly, strength. Their thermal conductivity is increased, however, in contrast to this, such a material can withstand significant loads. With its help, load-bearing walls and partitions are erected.
  2. Structural and heat-insulating aerated concrete and aerated concrete are most often used by private developers. It is popular in the construction of multi-storey houses.
  3. Thermal insulation materials are characterized by a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and low density, which does not allow them to be used in the construction of structures that will be subject to even a small load. Such products are used as thermal insulation.

When discussing blocks, they can fall into various accuracy categories for both autoclaved and non-autoclaved products. Their geometric departures from the linear size distinguish them from one another. GOST sets permissible values, which vary depending on the kind of cellular concrete.

To sum up, the main distinction between gas silicate and aerated concrete is that the former is permitted to be a little bit more. It has less demands made of it.

  • Composition also determines the classification for both materials.
  • For example, the presence of one or another siliceous component led to the division of products into materials made from: quartz sand, ash or other secondary industrial products suitable for their properties.
  • The type of binder determines the products: cement, lime, slag, mixed and ash binders.
  • According to their intended purpose, products made of gas silicate and aerated concrete can be presented in the form of: wall blocks, partition blocks and y-shaped products.
  • Y-shaped products are used when installing stationary formwork, when constructing door and window openings and in a number of other cases.

We will discuss some of the differences regarding the material’s scope of application later on, and we will also determine the relevance of the distinction between "aerated concrete and gas silicate" in this context.

It’s critical to comprehend the main distinctions between gas silicate and aerated concrete when choosing between the two for your building projects. Aerated concrete, which is lightweight and insulating, has good thermal efficiency and soundproofing qualities, but because of its lower density, it might need to be handled carefully. However, gas silicate is better suited for structural applications because, although it is also lightweight and insulating, it has a higher fire resistance and tends to be stronger. The selection of the material that best suits your needs for durability, insulation, and ease of construction will depend on a number of factors, including the project specifications, financial constraints, and local building regulations.

Features of the production technology of aerated concrete and gas silicate and products made from them

Given that the two materials under comparison are fairly similar, it is important to take into account the variations in production technologies. Furthermore, since it is possible to produce non-autopushed concrete at home, let us investigate how this differs from the highly developed process of producing aerated concrete in factories.

Equipment and materials

A variety of tools can be used to create aerated concrete.

  • Conveyor-type lines. Such equipment is extremely expensive. The process is almost completely automated, human participation is reduced to a minimum and consists mainly of the operator controlling the machines.

On the other hand, production volumes can be extremely optimistic and, under ideal circumstances, the payback period is less than a year.

  • Stationary lines are more cost-effective. Their productivity is less, but their contributions are completely different. The complete set can be chosen differently. It is worth considering that the result depends on it, in many ways.

  • In addition to the equipment sets, you may also need: loaders, trucks for delivery to the consumer and some other units and equipment that are not included in the standard set.
  • If we talk about the production of aerated concrete blocks at home, then the variability of the equipment can also be different.
  • You can get by with a budget set of a mixer, a blowing agent and molds, or purchase a mobile unit or a mini-set of equipment.
  • The last two options will be ideal if you decide to start a small business and produce a block for subsequent sale.
  • Various mobile installations and mini-kits differ in cost, performance and, of course, durability.
  • The following raw materials are required: cement grade not less than 400, water, lime, quartz sand, aluminum powder and modified additives.

Production process

This is how the production instructions appear:

  1. Raw materials are fed from the storage bins to the component dispenser. After dosing, they are fed to the mixer, where the components are thoroughly mixed.
  2. At the end, a blowing agent is added.
  3. The mixture is poured into molds approximately 1/3 full. The molds are not completely filled, since the process of swelling the solution will undoubtedly provoke the mixture to spill over the edges.
  4. The excess is subsequently removed.
  5. The next step is to cut the layer into standard sizes.
  6. Finally, the blocks undergo an autoclaving procedure, after which they are sent to the finished product warehouse.

When made by hand, aerated concrete is created using the same methodology. Because it is simply not cost-effective to purchase an expensive cutting complex, molds that are already divided into standard sizes are frequently used.

The products are stripped once the solution has solidified. To expedite the hardening process, they can be treated with heat and moisture.

Completed goods can be kept both inside and outside. The only requirement is that you must always be protected from outside influences.

Using aerated block in construction before 28 days is not advised.

The process of building walls out of both materials with different tools is explained in the video on this page, "Building a house from aerated concrete and gas silicate blocks."

Comparative review of materials

It’s time to go straight to a comparison of the key attributes and an examination of the usefulness and performance metrics of materials, now that we have a basic understanding of their features and production variations.

Aerated concrete or gas silicate?

Now let’s use the table for clarity.

Disparities between aerated concrete and gas silicate:

Characteristic name Value for gas silicate Value for non-autoclaved aerated concrete Comments? Difference between gas silicate and aerated concrete.
Thermal conductivity, W*mC 0.09-0.34 0.09-0.34 As you can see, there is no difference between gas silicate and aerated concrete blocks in this regard.

But still! It will become evident upon closer inspection that the thermal conductivity will vary even with the same average density. The coefficient will be lower for gas silicate.

It even has stricter GOST requirements than non-autoclave products.

Take note! The cost of gas silicate blocks is higher. Its average value does not, however, vary significantly.

Counseling! Make sure you consider all the benefits and drawbacks before making a purchase to prevent unanticipated costs.

Analyzing the above makes it clear that gas silicate prevails in the conflict between "gas silicate blocks versus aerated concrete blocks."

The non-autoclave should be given the upper hand when comparing the price range and the potential for self-production. However, hydration hardening products are far less superior in them when considering the technical and operational aspects.

Since the decision between aerated concrete and non-aerated concrete is still up for debate and it is hard to determine which of the indicators is most crucial for any given developer, let’s compare the two materials with other widely used wall-building products.

Aerated block and concrete are contrasted with alternative wall materials.

Property name Aerated concrete block Aerated concrete Foam block Expanded clay block
Thermal conductivity, W * mC 0.09-0.35 0.09-0.34 0.08-0.32 0.14-0.45
Strength grade, B 0.5-12.5 1.5-15 0.5-12.5 Not less than 3.5
Average density, D 300-1200 300-1200 300-1200 400-2000
Frost resistance, cycles 15-75 15-150 15-100 Up to 200
Shrinkage, mm/m2 From 0.5 From 0.3 From 0.5 Not affected
Moisture absorption,% Up to 30% About 25% About 16% 18%
Environmental friendliness environmentally friendly environmentally friendly environmentally friendly environmentally friendly
Fire resistance Does not burn Does not burn Does not burn Does not burn
Difficulty of processing the material easily Easily easily difficult

It is evident from the foregoing that both materials have benefits and drawbacks when compared to rival materials. In terms of production costs and thermal conductivity, they triumph. In terms of density, strength, moisture absorption, and shrinkage, expanded clay concrete surpasses them.

The only benefit that foam block has over gas silicate and aerated concrete is that its closed pore structure helps to lower the percentage of moisture absorption. Foam block is a type of cellular concrete.

House Weight Calculator

Aerated Concrete Gas Silicate
Lightweight material made by introducing air or gas into a cement mixture. Lightweight material formed by autoclaving a mixture of sand, lime, and a small amount of cement.
Higher insulation properties, suitable for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing applications. Good thermal insulation but generally used in non-load-bearing applications.

It’s crucial to consider the particular requirements of your project when deciding between gas silicate and aerated concrete. Each material has particular advantages and disadvantages that may affect your choice. Because of its excellent insulation qualities and lightweight design, aerated concrete is a popular material for energy-efficient construction. However, gas silicate offers better soundproofing and fire resistance, making it a better option for quieter settings or areas that need extra protection.

Cost is an additional factor to consider. Labor costs can be decreased by using aerated concrete since it is typically less expensive and simpler to handle. In the long run, the initial investment may be justified because gas silicate offers durability and a longer lifespan, despite occasionally being more expensive. You can better balance your budget and the performance requirements of your building project by being aware of these factors.

The choice between gas silicate and aerated concrete ultimately boils down to the particular needs of your construction. Determine what matters most to you when it comes to cost, insulation, fire resistance, or soundproofing, and then choose the option that will help you reach your objectives. Every material has advantages, so take into account how these compare to the requirements of your project to get the best result.

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Dmitry Sokolov

Chief engineer in a large construction company. I have extensive experience in managing construction projects and implementing modern technologies.

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