Insulating Composite Block Foam Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing process for composite insulating masonry blocks is inefficient due to the use of quick-setting calcium aluminate cement foams, which lead to instability and detachment from the block walls, compromising thermal insulation properties.

Innovation Solution

A method involving mineral blocks with low water absorption rates and filling them with cementitious mineral foam that does not contain calcium aluminate cement, allowing for continuous or semi-continuous filling and maintaining foam stability without deformation or detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If slow-setting foams are used to fill cells, then the foam is easier to handle and less aggressive, but the foam collapses, destabilizes, retracts and detaches from the cavity walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam handlingVSAvoidfoam stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the foam by excluding calcium aluminate cement and using alternative cementitious materials with different setting characteristics. This allows the foam to maintain stability without the aggressive quick-setting properties that cause detachment, resolving the contradiction between ease of handling and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite cementitious materials combining different binding agents (such as Portland cement, lime, and gypsum) in specific proportions to create a foam that achieves both adequate setting time for handling and sufficient adhesion to cavity walls, balancing ease of operation with foam stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of time

If quick-setting foams based on calcium aluminate cement are used, then the foam sets rapidly, but the process is economically unattractive and difficult to use industrially due to fouling phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting timeVSAvoidindustrial processability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the setting time parameter by eliminating calcium aluminate cement and using alternative cementitious compositions that provide moderate setting times. This eliminates the fouling phenomenon associated with rapid setting while maintaining adequate production efficiency, resolving the contradiction between speed and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If cells are filled with foam cement to improve thermal insulation, then insulation properties improve, but the foam may detach from walls compromising thermal properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidfoam adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite cementitious formulations that enhance adhesion properties while maintaining thermal insulation performance. The combination of different binding agents creates a foam that adheres reliably to cavity walls, ensuring both thermal efficiency and structural integrity are maintained simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method ensures stable, adherent mineral foam within the blocks, maintaining cohesion and enhancing thermal insulation without the economic and practical drawbacks of quick-setting foams.

Implementation Method 1

the mineral filler foam does not detach from the walls under usual conditions of use, even when the block is turned over and shaken. The method according to the invention makes it possible to maintain cohesion of the block and of the foam.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

having a mineral block to be masonry comprising at least one cell having walls having a water absorption rate of less than 5 g/(m2.s) at 10 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3126588B1Method for producing an insulating composite building block
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 HOLCIM TECHNOLOGY LTD
  • EP3126588B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing an insulating composite block comprising a mineral foam, said method comprising the following steps: a. providing a block comprising at least one cell having walls which are either sufficiently humid or consist of a water-repellent material, and b. filling said cell with a mineral foam that does not substantially comprise any calcium aluminate. The invention also relates to an insulating composite block comprising a block, said block comprising at least one cell having walls optionally comprising a water-repellent material, said cell being filled with a mineral foam that does not substantially comprise any calcium aluminate.