Earth’s Cryosphere, 2011, Vol. XV, No. 4, p. 104-106

A NOVEL HEAT-INSULATING MATERIAL FOR THERMAL STABILIZATION OF SOILS

K.S. Ivanov

Institute of Earth’s Cryosphere, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PO box 1230, Tyumen, 625000, Russia; 4terminator@mail.ru

The study has proven the feasibility of obtaining a novel heat-insulating material with an apparent density of 290–580 kg/m3, a compressive strength of 1.7–7.8 MPa, and a water absorption of 4 %. Heat treatment of a mixture of diatomite and alkali at 95 °C increases the leaching rate of amorphous SiO2 while the resultant soluble sodium silicates promote foaming of the charge during sintering at 775 °C and decrease its apparent density. The new heat insulator is similar to the traditional foam glass in its structure and properties and thus can be used to protect the foundations of engineering structures.