Applications: Construction
Insulation and Light-weight Filling
ARGEX® is the ideal solution for a light-weight filling with good mechanical, thermal and acoustical properties.
It should be used loose, and surface watered with cement run-off, to boost the insulation characteristics. It is important to use a resilient mat to separate the floating screed from the slab.
1.Filling and levelling with dry ARGEX® expanded clay.
2.Water the surface with cement run-off. Consumption for 10 m²: 40 kg of cement with about 25 litres of water. Use low speed mechanical mixer. The consistency should be enough to allow watering.
3.After 24 hours, the ground is ready for placing the final screed.
ADVANTAGES:
- Lightness, substantially reduces weight on the structure
- Thermal and acoustical improvement
- Fire resistance
- Easy to apply
- Quick drying
| SOLUTION | AIR-BORNE SOUNDS | PERCUSSION SOUNDS |
|---|---|---|
| Plain voided slab | Rw = 45 dB | Ln,w = 95 dB |
| With ARGEX® floating screed | Rw = 56 dB | Ln,w = 57 dB |
ITECONS trials
ARGEX® expanded clay may also be used pre-mixed with water and cement in a cement mixer. To facilitate the mixing process, first add part of the water to the ARGEX®, then the cement and the remaining water.
Example: Place 2 bags of ARGEX® in a cement mixer with 5 litres of water and mix for a few minutes. Add 10 kg of cement and keep adding the remaining water (about 5 litres).
Example: Place 2 bags of ARGEX® in a cement mixer with 5 litres of water and mix for a few minutes. Add 10 kg of cement and keep adding the remaining water (about 5 litres).
In larger works
In attics
Documentation
This system is easy to use with pumped light concrete. It is pumped to the application location by a cistern truck equipped with a pumping system; binder is added during the application. Levelling is done with a concrete float and an aluminium ruler for better smoothing.
ARGEX® is pumped directly to the application location from a cistern truck.
At the same time the binder is mixed and pumped with a suitable machine, and they are mixed at the hose nozzle, in a specific device.
The light concrete should be smoothed and levelled in the usual manner. It is advisable to wait 24 to 48 hours before placing anything on top (screeds or others).
How do you improve the thermal insulation of the top slab?
When building or refurbishing a building, a quick, efficient and economical way to achieve good thermal insulation of the top slab is by applying ARGEX® expanded clay. This 100% natural product does not overload the structure, it helps to adjust the moisture and improves the thermal and acoustic efficiency of buildings, which allows lower energy consumption.
ARGEX® expanded clay may be applied loose or in bags.
For loose application, simply scatter the ARGEX® expanded clay evenly over the surface.
To apply in bags, the entire surface should be covered with bags of ARGEX®, well packed next to each other. Finally, fill in the empty spaces with loose ARGEX®.
If you wish to circulate freely in this area, you may put planks or some other type of support directly over the ARGEX® expanded clay.
ADVANTAGES:
- Thermal and acoustical insulation of the garret
- Easy to apply and low cost
- It is not toxic and not carcinogenic
- It cannot be attacked by rodents or insects
- It does not age or produce fumes during application or along its life span
Consult all of the documentation on expanded clay recommended for insulation and light-weight filling: ARGEX® 3-8 and ARGEX® 8-16.
ARGEX® 3-8
ARGEX® 8-16
Increasing soil drainage and reducing overloads around the structure.
ARGEX expanded clay has excellent drainage properties, avoiding moisture from infiltrating the construction. Reduces soil pressure on basement walls and avoids soil settlement around the structure.
It provides better stability, reduces settlement and offers exceptional insulation and sub-base compensation.
It provides better stability, reduces settlement and offers exceptional insulation and sub-base compensation.
Did you know you can use ARGEX expanded clay directly on ground floors?
The sealing, drainage and insulation properties of the ARGEX® allow it to be applied directly in contact with the ground. ARGEX expanded clay provides good thermal insulation and a substantial reduction of possible condensation and moisture in buildings.
Double the thickness of ARGEX® near the outside walls to reduce the loss of heat to the ground.
Double the thickness of ARGEX® near the outside walls to reduce the loss of heat to the ground.
