The production of ACICO aerated concrete

1. Preparation of raw materials – measuring, mixing, pouring:
Quartz sand is very finely milled and then mixed with precisely measured amounts of lime, cement, water and a minimal amount of aluminium paste as expanding agent. This slurry is poured into molds. When producing reinforced material the corrosion protected reinforcement is inserted into the mold prior to pouring.
2. Expanding:
The aluminium paste reacts chemically with the other raw materials. Hydrogen gas forms. The cake expands and attains its porous structure – the precondition for the exceptional thermal insulation, good acoustic properties and easy workability.
3. Cutting:
After the expansion process is completed the malleable cake is cut into the desired end product form, i.e. blocks or slabs, very precisely by sophisticated cutting machines with maximum tolerance of +/- 1.5 mm.
4. Steam curing:
Following the cutting process the cut cake is steam cured under a pressure of 12 bar and temperature of only 180°C. After steam curing the construction material and products are ready for delivery to sites.