[papercreters] Even cheaper than paper-crete...

I really think this could be the building wave of the future and the
absolute minimal use of materials, I'm speaking of aero- (for air-
entrained) cement or foam-crete. Unfortunately the precise chemistry
is being withheld as proprietary by a few companies, but the
principles are fairly straight-forward. First a stable foam is
generated, using compressor, tank, water, foaming and stabilizing
agent. The foam via hose is added to a concrete mixer with water,
cement & sand. The resulting product can be cast into bricks,
blocks, wall panels or art objects but at fraction of the weight
of ordinary cement. Stucco or other coatings may be applied after,
just like paper-crete.

In my research I learned that the biggest challenge to this method
is finding a cost-effective foam stabilizer that will maintain
bubble integrity until the cement can cure, certain proteins,
vegetable gums and even correctly sized clay powders known to
gel, may serve.

The work to produce is slightly less than needing to source,
transport, chop & mix reams of paper. In some cases paper-crete
might still be preferred where paper is available for little or
no cost. Paper-crete does hold it's shape better and allows a
more free-form approach, while air-crete might be the choice where
modular casting doesn't interfere with creativity.



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