Cellular Concrete Production Technologies: An Overview

Abstract

Cellular concrete is a widely used material in the construction industry and can be produced through different methods, which result in significant variations in its final properties. One of the most established techniques is the manufacturing of autoclaved blocks, subjected to a curing process under high pressure and temperature to enhance the mechanical strength and dimensional stability of the material. However, not all methods employ this type of curing. For instance, foamed blocks are produced with ambient curing by incorporating foaming agents that generate air bubbles directly within the mixture or through the addition of a pre-formed foam, providing the material with a lightweight and uniform cellular structure. Among the main production techniques for non-autoclaved cellular concrete are direct mixing and foam pre-formation. Additionally, this type of concrete may offer advantages such as accelerated carbonation reaction, contributing to a more efficient production process. Furthermore, cellular concrete can be manufactured using industrial or post-consumer waste by partially replacing conventional aggregates with paper ash, ceramics, and other materials, thus creating a sustainable product that reutilizes waste otherwise destined for disposal.