EVOLUTION OF AAC CONCRETE BLOCKS

 

EVOLUTION OF AAC CONCRETE BLOCKS

AAC block is the popular building material evolved in 1920’s and started producing industrially in the same year. These blocks are light weight, Eco-friendly and cost-effective building blocks which draws its roots from 20^th century. The raw materials used for the formation of this miracle invention are cement, lime, gypsum, sand and aluminium powder. AAC bricks made the real breakthrough in the building sector from 1923. AAC products includes wall panels, blocks, floor and roof panels, and lintels. In India 80% of the construction started to use AAC blocks instead of traditional bricks.

INVENTION OF AAC BLOCKS

The early discovery of AAC is based on a chain of process patents. In 1880, Michaelis, a German researcher, got a patent on his steam curing processes. Czech Hoffman successfully tested and patented the method of “aerating” the concrete by carbon dioxide in 1889. Aylsworth and Dyer, two American scientists used aluminium powder and calcium hydroxide to attain porous cementitious mixture and also received a patent for this in 1914. A serious next step towards developing modern AAC was made by Swede Axel Eriksson. In 1920 he invented AAC by a method called “lime formula” and got patent.

RISE OF COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING

Eriksson’s success captured incredible attention from the commercial sector and in 1929 the first large scale production of this artificially innovated crystallized stone blocks was launched in Sweden. In 1943 the first AAC plant was opened in Germany. The autoclaved aerated concrete from Sweden was named as Ytong and was produced with alum shale, whose combustible carbon content made it beneficial to use in the production process. Unfortunately, it is found that there was a low amount of uranium content was there in the slate deposits of AAC, in consequence the material will give off radioactive radon gas to the building. In 1975, AAC blocks was manufactured using Fly ash, Calcined gypsum, Lime, Cement, Water and aluminium powder as a new type of aerated concrete blocks which doesn’t contain any raw materials that causes radon exposure and this is the process followed since this time

EXISTENCE OF AAC BLOCKS

Eco-friendly and greyish-white color AAC blocks are one of the incredible innovation in masonry sector. Currently U.S.A, Russia, Germany and India are producing a large scale of AAC blocks due to the increase in urbanization and industrialization. The rising demand for residential and commercial space also make this innovative brick to marks its position in many Asia countries. Its light weight, heat absorption, termite - resistivity, fire resistance and cost- effective features helps this bricks to enhance its trustworthy in the society.