Direct flame test performance of boards containing waste undersized pumice materials

Abstract

This study investigates the thermal performance of boards containing waste undersize pumice material directly exposed to flame in terms of thermal conductivity coefficient (TCC) and thermal efficiency ratio (TER). In the study, the direct flame was applied for 60 s on the front face of the 400×400×25 mm boards whose weight and density values, void ratio, porosity, and water absorption rates by weight and volume were determined. Because moisture content and porosity are significant factors in defining temperature-related properties of construction materials. The thermal characteristics of the boards were interpreted in this regard in connection to their moisture content and void ratios. At the end of the tests, the temperature difference between the front and back surfaces of the boards containing 10%, 30%, and 50% by weight of pumice stone powder and pumice sand was measured using a laser pyrometer. Compared to the reference sample without pumice, the TCC values decreased to 1.653, 1.649, and 1.540 W/mK, respectively, as a result of the use of pumice products in building materials. Moreover, TER values for the same samples increased to 82.6 %, 83.5 %, and 85.3 %, respectively.