Areas and fields of expanded clay use

The material actively used in construction and plant growing, and also serving as a good insulation material, is called expanded clay. It is a porous clay substance. Expanded clay is fairly light and may be in the form of round or oval granules that look like gravel. This construction material is produced in special kilns, using clay as raw material.

The quality of this material is determined by the expanded clay grain, which can have different fractions: 5-10 mm, 10-20 mm and 20-40 mm. If the grains are smaller than 5 mm, such material is called expanded clay sand. Production technology determines expanded clay strength indicators. The lower this indicator, the more pores it has and, consequently, the higher its thermal insulation properties.

Properties of Expanded Clay

As already mentioned, clay is used for expanded clay production. No auxiliary additives or impurities are used besides clay. That is, expanded clay is a natural and environmentally friendly substance. This is why it has valuable and unique properties that allow this material to be used for different purposes.

Expanded clay properties that determine its use in different areas:

• lightness and strength;

• frost resistance and fire resistance;

• low water absorption;

• high sound insulation and thermal insulation;

• durability and environmental friendliness.

These properties of expanded clay allow it to be used in many spheres of human life.

Areas of Expanded Clay Use

Undoubtedly, the density and size of expanded clay grains affect the final result. When choosing this construction material, all of its characteristics must be considered in order to obtain the required result.

Areas and fields of expanded clay use include:

• as a sound insulation material;

• as material for insulating floors, foundations and walls;

• road construction, as well as dam and bridge construction;

• for water filtration;

• for producing concrete structures;

• for laying heat pipelines and heating networks;

• in plant growing;

• in landscape design.

Most often, expanded clay is used to insulate buildings. Thanks to its thermal insulation properties, it retains heat indoors and maintains the required temperature. In addition, expanded clay has good sound insulation characteristics. By using this material for one purpose, another problem is solved at the same time.

This material is well suited for use in construction because expanded clay is not subject to rotting and has good quality characteristics.

Recently, it has been actively used in landscape design for arranging garden paths and house-adjacent areas. It looks neat and attractive.

Expanded clay is also used in plant growing to create drainage systems for plants, ensuring water outflow and good air permeability. It is convenient that expanded clay can be reused because it does not lose its properties.