Multisource solid waste development of low-carbon ultra-light foamed insulation materials: A feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Construction
• Waste Recycling

Background:

• Rising building energy consumption and solid waste pose significant environmental and economic challenges.
• Developing eco-friendly construction materials that incorporate waste is crucial for sustainable development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize an alkali-activated ultra-light foamed insulation material (AFIM) using expanded polystyrene (EPS) particles.
• To investigate the impact of EPS dosage, particle size, and gradation on AFIM properties.
• To evaluate the performance, energy efficiency, carbon footprint, and life cycle cost of AFIM.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of AFIM using alkali-activated binders and EPS particles as lightweight aggregates.
• Systematic testing of compressive strength, dry density, thermal conductivity, and volumetric water absorption.
• Microscopic analysis of material morphology and interface compatibility.
• Feasibility assessment including performance, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and life cycle cost (LCC).

Main Results:

• EPS incorporation significantly reduced AFIM's dry density, thermal conductivity, and water absorption while maintaining mechanical properties.
• Optimal AFIM achieved a thermal conductivity of 0.0408 W/(m·K) and dry density of 127.03 kg/m³.
• Microscopic analysis revealed good compatibility and dense interfacial transition zones between EPS and the AFIM matrix.

Conclusions:

• AFIM demonstrates comparable performance to traditional insulation materials.
• AFIM offers significant advantages in energy conservation, emission reduction, and economic benefits, making it a promising sustainable building material.