Efeito sinérgico de misturas vermiculita-lignosulfonato nas propriedades termomecânicas de argamassas de revestimento

Abstract

Currently, the search for construction materials that promote energy efficiency in buildings is increasingly growing. These materials not only contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption. The partial substitution of sand with porous aggregates, such as expanded vermiculite, holds great potential for modifying the thermal properties of mortars, thereby improving the thermal insulation of buildings. However, porous aggregates also decrease the mechanical strength of mortars. To overcome this challenge, plasticizing additives, such as lignosulfonates, can be employed in combination with porous aggregates to reduce the mixing water in the mixtures, resulting in higher mechanical strength and durability of the mortars. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of combined addition of expanded vermiculite and a lignosulfonatebased plasticizer in rendering mortars. Mortars with a volume ratio of 1:3 were prepared, with replacement levels of sand by expanded vermiculite at 0%, 25%, and 50%, and an addition of 0% and 2% of lignosulfonate. The resulting mortars were characterized in the fresh state by measuring the consistency index and fresh bulk density. In the hardened state, apparent bulk density, water absorption, voids index, modulus of elasticity, compressive strength, and flexural tensile strength and and tensile adhesion strength were evaluated. The thermal insulation of the mortars was assessed by measuring the temperature gradient between opposite faces of mortar specimens measuring 26.5 x 20.0 x 1.5 cm. It was observed that as the concentration of vermiculite increased, the density and mechanical strength of the mortars decreased. The addition of 2% of plasticizer in the mortar containing 50% of vermiculite reduced the amount of mixing water, improving compressive strength by 15% and flexural tensile strength by 9%. The combined use of 50% vermiculite and 2% lignosulfonate resulted in an increased temperature gradient between opposite faces of the mortars from 6.7°C (reference mortar) to 9.2°C. This result confirms the synergistic effect of the vermiculite-lignosulfonate mixture in formulating mortars with enhanced thermal insulation effects.