Making Lightweight Concrete Panel Based on Perlit and the Effect of Composition on Its Characteristics

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 31 views

Making Lightweight Concrete Panel Based on Perlit and the Effect of Composition on Its Characteristics

In recent years, the construction industry has been shifting towards the use of lightweight concrete panels due to their numerous benefits, including reduced weight, improved thermal insulation, and enhanced fire resistance. One of the most promising materials used in the production of lightweight concrete panels is Perlit, a type of volcanic glass that is known for its low density and high thermal insulation properties. In this article, we will discuss the making of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit and the effect of composition on its characteristics.

The Importance of Perlit in Lightweight Concrete Panels

Perlit is a type of volcanic glass that is formed when lava cools rapidly. It is known for its low density, high thermal insulation properties, and excellent fire resistance. When used in the production of lightweight concrete panels, Perlit can significantly improve the thermal insulation properties and fire resistance of the panel. In addition, Perlit is also known for its ability to reduce the weight of the panel, making it an ideal choice for construction applications where weight is a concern.

The Procedure for Making Lightweight Concrete Panels Based on Perlit

The procedure for making lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit involves mixing raw materials in the form of cement, Perlit, and sand. The mixture is then printed in a cylinder form with a diameter of 27 mm and a height of 90 mm, and in the form of a beam measuring 160 x 40 x 40 cm³. After the printing process, the resulting concrete sample is dried naturally in various time periods, namely 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and using autoclave with a pressure of 1.5 bar for 20, 30, 60, and 90 minutes.

Characterization of Lightweight Concrete Panels Based on Perlit

The characteristics of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit are measured based on several parameters, including density, compressive strength, broken strength, tensile strength, water absorption, depreciation, fire resistance, thermal conductivity, and microstructure analysis using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results of the characterization show that the concrete of Perlit I and II with the composition of the slows 80.00%, 85.72%, and 88.89%(based on the Volume of Perlit or Aggregate) which is dried for 28 days naturally and with the autoclave method for 90 Minutes, have physical, mechanical, and thermal properties that meet the criteria as mild concrete panels.

Analysis of Lightweight Concrete Characteristics Based on Perlit

The results of the characterization show that the concrete of Perlit I and II with the composition of the slows 80.00%, 85.72%, and 88.89%(based on the Volume of Perlit or Aggregate) which is dried for 28 days naturally and with the autoclave method for 90 Minutes, have physical, mechanical, and thermal properties that meet the criteria as mild concrete panels. Perlit I concrete density obtained from natural drying for 28 days ranges from 315.22 - 662.08 kg/m³ (0.315 - 0.662 g/cm³). Meanwhile, Lightweight Concrete Panel Perlit II which experienced drying for 28 days and 90 minutes in the autoclave showed density in the range of 1050.22 - 1420.35 kg/m³.

Optimizing the Composition of Raw Materials

Optimizing the composition of raw materials shows that the concrete of Perlit I and II has the best water absorption in the range of 8-20% and the depreciation rate between 0.05 - 0.17%. In addition, the excellent performance of fire resistance of the two types of perlit concrete occurs in the composition of 80.00% and 85.72% for the perlit volume, and 80.00%; 85.72%; and 88.89% for aggregate. This shows that light-based lightweight concrete not only has good mechanical characteristics, but is also able to provide adequate resistance to fire.

Microstructure Analysis of Lightweight Concrete Panels Based on Perlit

Microstructure analysis of Perlit I concrete shows the dominance of the Ca₂sio₄ (C2S), Ca₃sio₅ (C3S), and Ca₃al₂sio₆ (C3A) phase, as well as the presence of the Sio₂ minor phase originating from Perlit. On the other hand, Perlit II concrete is dominated by the Sio₂ phase originating from sand and perlit, including quartz, tridimit, and crystobalite, as well as the cement phase namely Ca₂sio₄ (C2S) and Ca₃sio₅ (C3S).

Conclusion

Making light-based lightweight concrete panels shows great potential in modern construction applications. With the right composition, this concrete not only meets the requirements of mechanical strength, but also has good thermal insulation properties and resistance to fire. The results of this study confirm the importance of selecting raw materials and the drying process in producing high-quality lightweight concrete, which can be used for various purposes in the construction industry.

Recommendations for Future Research

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made for future research:

Further research is needed to optimize the composition of raw materials and the drying process to improve the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit.
The use of Perlit in the production of lightweight concrete panels should be further explored to determine its potential applications in the construction industry.
The microstructure analysis of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit should be further investigated to understand the relationship between the composition of raw materials and the microstructure of the concrete.

References

[1] Perlit. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perlite
[2] Lightweight Concrete. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightweight_concrete
[3] Thermal Insulation. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_insulation
[4] Fire Resistance. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_resistance

Note: The references provided are for general information purposes only and are not specific to the research presented in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lightweight Concrete Panels Based on Perlit

In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit.

Q: What is Perlit and how is it used in lightweight concrete panels?

A: Perlit is a type of volcanic glass that is formed when lava cools rapidly. It is known for its low density, high thermal insulation properties, and excellent fire resistance. When used in the production of lightweight concrete panels, Perlit can significantly improve the thermal insulation properties and fire resistance of the panel.

Q: What are the benefits of using lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit?

A: The benefits of using lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit include:

Reduced weight: Lightweight concrete panels are significantly lighter than traditional concrete panels, making them easier to handle and transport.
Improved thermal insulation: Perlit has high thermal insulation properties, which can help to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency.
Excellent fire resistance: Perlit has excellent fire resistance properties, which can help to protect buildings and structures from fire damage.
Cost-effective: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit can be more cost-effective than traditional concrete panels.

Q: How are lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit made?

A: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit are made by mixing raw materials in the form of cement, Perlit, and sand. The mixture is then printed in a cylinder form with a diameter of 27 mm and a height of 90 mm, and in the form of a beam measuring 160 x 40 x 40 cm³. After the printing process, the resulting concrete sample is dried naturally in various time periods, namely 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and using autoclave with a pressure of 1.5 bar for 20, 30, 60, and 90 minutes.

Q: What are the characteristics of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit?

A: The characteristics of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit include:

Density: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit have a density of 315.22 - 662.08 kg/m³ (0.315 - 0.662 g/cm³).
Compressive strength: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit have a compressive strength of 8-20 MPa.
Broken strength: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit have a broken strength of 0.05 - 0.17%.
Tensile strength: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit have a tensile strength of 1.5 - 3.5 MPa.
Water absorption: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit have a water absorption of 8-20%.
Fire resistance: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit have excellent fire resistance properties.

Q: Can lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit be used in various construction applications?

A: Yes, lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit can be used in various construction applications, including:

Building facades
Roofing
Flooring
Walls
Ceilings

Q: What are the advantages of using lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit in construction applications?

A: The advantages of using lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit in construction applications include:

Reduced weight: Lightweight concrete panels are significantly lighter than traditional concrete panels, making them easier to handle and transport.
Improved thermal insulation: Perlit has high thermal insulation properties, which can help to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency.
Excellent fire resistance: Perlit has excellent fire resistance properties, which can help to protect buildings and structures from fire damage.
Cost-effective: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit can be more cost-effective than traditional concrete panels.

Q: What are the potential drawbacks of using lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit?

A: The potential drawbacks of using lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit include:

Higher cost: While lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit can be more cost-effective than traditional concrete panels, they may still be more expensive than other materials.
Limited availability: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit may not be widely available, which can make it difficult to source them.
Limited durability: Lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit may not be as durable as traditional concrete panels, which can affect their lifespan.

Q: Can lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit be used in conjunction with other materials?

A: Yes, lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit can be used in conjunction with other materials, including:

Steel
Wood
Glass
Aluminum

Q: What are the potential applications of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit in the future?

A: The potential applications of lightweight concrete panels based on Perlit in the future include:

Building facades
Roofing
Flooring
Walls
Ceilings
Insulation
Fireproofing
Soundproofing

Note: The information provided in this article is for general information purposes only and is not specific to any particular product or application.