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DIY Aircrete / foamcrete

Started By ricardoflup , Sep 6 2021 7:42 AM

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4 replies to this topic

#1 Offline ricardoflup - Posted September 6 2021 - 7:42 AM

ricardoflup

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Hi. It's been impossible to get hold of ytong/aircrete/AAC blocks here in Shetland. I was wondering if anyone has any DIY alternative I could use with a similar profile: light, easy to carve, mold resistant, holds moisture?
I've seen somewhere a foamcrete recipe of 1 part cement 5 parts perlite, as perlite is mold resistant and holds water and cement would not be toxic. Anyone tried this?
A similar approach with plaster and perlite, but as plaster is not mold resistant it seems to defeat the purpose.
Proper foamcrete mix with proper foamcrete mixing machine - would just be too expensive.
Any other ideas?
Cheers

Edited by ricardoflup, September 6 2021 - 7:44 AM.

#2 Offline NickAnter - Posted September 6 2021 - 8:16 AM

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Are you able to get hold of something like hydrostone or ultracal-30? Here in the states, that is what is most commonly used - ytong is pretty much a nonexistent thing here.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#3 Offline PetsNotPests - Posted September 6 2021 - 8:17 AM

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K-27 Firebrick shares many characteristics as Ytong. You can look on here for some examples. I know AntsUtah has a few. 


Ants are Pets, not Pests. 

 

-Camponotus sansabeanus

-Camponotus US-CA02

-Camponotus vicinus

-Formica podzolica

-Monomorium spp.

-Pogonomyrmex californicus

-Solenopsis spp. 

 

#4 Offline ricardoflup - Posted September 6 2021 - 8:39 AM

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Apologies for creating new topic, should have checked first that there are already topics on this. Moderator feel free to delete.
Thanks for feedback so far. Yes and yes. But would want to pour and not use block.
I'll give it a go and share later. I'll try combining cement, grout, vermiculite, perlite, sand, in different combinations as per previous posts.
I'm thinking a thin layer with more sand for strength, a layer with vermiculite for retention, a top layer with more perlite to allow easy carving and water 'flow'.. Although I might have misunderstood other posts and end up with a layered mess..
Thanks

#5 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted September 6 2021 - 5:36 PM

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It is perfectly fine that you made this topic, the forum is meant for questions like this. I am curious how it will turn out.


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