Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Perlite and Rubber Insulation Cement Mortar

Abstract

The thermal analysis of the concrete walls showed that the connection mortar between the bricks works as thermal bridges, which transfer the heat to the interior wall surfaces. Therefore, insulation materials were used to produce insulation mortar in this research. Powder perlite and fine rubber were substi­tuted with sand with three dosages 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight. The compres­sive strength, thermal conductivity, density, and absorption were measured ex­perimentally in the lab. The results showed that the maximum reduction in com­pressive strength was 44% and 63% for 15% substitutions of perlite and rubber, respectively. On the other hand, the absorption of perlite was higher than rubber mortar by 59%, for the content of 10%. The thermal conductivity results proved the higher efficiency of perlite and rubber, which reached around 50% and 30%, respectively for the contents of 15%. According to ASTM C 270, the perlite and rubber mortars were satisfying the conditions.