Hi.

What compound would be the most convenient to mix with mortar to expand it to a very lightweight pumice type end product with non-toxic microbubbles?

 

I say micro because I believe that if the bubbles are somewhat large, would surface too easily before the cement cures.

 

Thanks,

Miguel

Hi.

What compound would be the most convenient to mix with mortar to expand it to a very lightweight pumice type end product with non-toxic microbubbles?

 

I say micro because I believe that if the bubbles are somewhat large' date=' would surface too easily before the cement cures.

 

Thanks,

Miguel [/quote']

 

I have machined a substance that was similar to styrofoam, but it was impregated with hollow glass balls.

 

http://www.eagerplastics.com/7962.htm

 

They're not terribly expensive.

What is the end goal? To make like a brick you can scrub with?

 

I'm sure that mixing an acid like HCl in with the mortar will react with some minerals in it to produce hydrogen gas.

Hi.

Yes, you may say a concrete block to scrub with.

 

Was more inclined to a (finely powdered) alka-seltzer type of compound to be mixed dry with Portland cement; to release microbubbles at the moment of wetting the mix.... A cheap sodium bicarbonate type of compound.

 

Miguel

Baking soda!

sodium lauryl sulphate

 

the only foaming agent I know of

baking soda and aluminum sulfate.

baking soda and powdered citric acid!!!!!both react together when wet

Lots of bubbles??? I've heard you can just dump a bottle of Ivory liquid dish soap into a public fountain.... Go away for ten minutes then come back... Watch everyone stare lol.

Try sodium iodide, and hydrogen peroxide. also works as a funny prank:-pif all else fails, try potassium permanganate, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide

yeast and sugar in the cement, it`ll give you a nice delay before the bubbles form, exactly like cement loaf of bread

yeast and sugar in the cement, it`ll give you a nice delay before the bubbles form, exactly like cement loaf of bread

 

could this replace the concrete shoes popular among enemies of the mafia?

I`ve no idea, I`ll bring it up the next I meet the Don.

ha ha yeast and sugar in the cement eh' i think ill give that one a go ohhhh and sodium iodide, and hydrogen peroxide. now thats good!

I suspect that most cement is far too alkaline to permit the growth of yeast.

Right, John. Concrete pH is 11 - 12 , very alkaline.

And sodium bicarbonate needs an acid to bubble. So it may not work. Damn!

-Back to the thinking hat.

Miguel

Try an expanding grout. I believe these contain aluminium powder, the cement alkali releases hydrogen. No smoking! Can these be mixed with ordinary (Portland) cement? I don't know. Possibly. This is a question for a building supplier. Expanding grout has been used on pre-stressed, post-tensioned concrete bridges.

Getting bubbles to form evenly throughout the mix, not come to the surface and not ruin the integrity of the cement is going to be pretty tough.

 

Why not just add perlite? That's how most lightweight concrete mixes are made anyway.

Seems so far it will have to be as Tater says, ..."baking soda and powdered citric acid"...

Ascorbic acid is the same, right ?

 

Miguel

no, you`ll just end up making Calcium Citrate or Calcium Ascorbate. the CO2 will react with the Calcium hydroxide to form the Carbonate (no bubbles).

 

Al or Zn powder should work well though, aim for Amphoteric

 

edit: Oh and another thing, Excess CO2 in calcium hydroxide will make the Bicarbonate and that`s Perfectly soluble, and thus useless.

I should have though of this before the yeast idea, apologies for that oversight!