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Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

Physical Qualities

The Unique Qualities of AAC

The physical properties of HEBEL Autoclaved Aerated Concrete are unique to any other building material. Properties such as thermal insulation and fire resistance can not be met by another product alone.

Speed of Construction


Increased installation efficiency with a faster construction timeline and smaller crew than typical building systems. During the manufacturing process, every product is stamped and tagged with a unique number that matches project specifications. The installation crew simply matches the number on the product with the corresponding number on the panel placement plans before setting each panel. An experienced crew of eight can set 2,400 square foot of wall space and 3,600 square foot of floor space with one small crane per day.




Thermal Insulation & Energy Savings


Buildings constructed of HEBEL AAC provide substantial energy savings in both hot and cold climates. The unique closed celluar structure and the thermal mass contribute to a high R-value and air-tightness which reduce heating and cooling costs and improve indoor air quality. Buildings have seen a savings on air conditioning of up to 35% by using HEBEL AAC.




Superior Fire Resistance


Supplies a two hour per two inch and a four hour per four inch UL fire rating within one, stand alone product that can be installed faster than traditional fire walls, and provide greater fire protection while saving resources. HEBEL AAC is not only non-combustible; it heats up significantly less and more slowly than other building materials.

When the ASTM E119 fire water hose stream test, at 30 psi, is performed after two hours of temperatures in excess of 1800 °F, the two hour fire rated sheetrock is fully penetrated within 37 seconds. Under the same test conditions, an 8” block AAC wall maintains its structural integrity and the water hose instead cleans the AAC wall.




Sustainable


Qualifies for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points from United States Green Building Council (USGBC) because Hebel does not emit gasses or particles that contribute to indoor air pollution and it is completely recyclable. HEBEL AAC products do not degrade with time, resulting in superior properties compared to other construction materials. As an alkaline material with a pH between 9.0 and 10.5, it does not cause any corrosion to building materials. Like other types of concrete, HEBEL AAC must be protected from high concentrations of carbon dioxide, sulphates, chlorides and strong acids. Hebel AAC does not have any toxic substances nor emit odors.




Relatively high strength for a low density


With the incorporation of wire rebar cages, AAC can be engineered for load-bearing applications. The thin bed mortar applied between units works like an adhesive creating a bond between units that is stronger than the material alone. HEBEL AAC is up to 4 times lighter than traditional concrete, representing great advantages in transportation and material handling.




Moisture Resistance


The internal closed cellular structure of HEBEL AAC gives our products a high moisture resistance-more than other traditional masonry systems. As with all building products, it is important to research and understand how all individual materials used to form a wall work together to transfer or inhibit moisture. With applications that have a continuous source of moisture, such as below grade, water proofing systems must be applied.




Workability


HEBEL AAC products can be easily cut, drilled and grooved with manual or power tools. This provides higher productivity in hydro-sanitary and electrical installations such as pipes or ducts which can be placed after the structure has been built.




Acoustic Performance


HEBEL AAC's high surface mass dampens mechanical vibration energy; it functions as a sound insulation and absorption barrier to deliver quieter buildings. Once finished with other traditional construction materials, such as stucco, plaster, brick and drywall, Autoclaved Aerated Concrete can meet industry STC requirements.




Precision


Exact dimensions of HEBEL AAC pieces result in smooth walls with a perfect contact among the different elements, enabling builders to save in finishes and achieve optimal structural performance. Dimension tolerances are +/- 1/16 inch (+/- ¼ inch in panel length).





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