I agree with Roberts explainations. He's got it pegged.
I will add a little to what he said.
Without knowing the exact properties of the particular clay (and
other ingredients) that you are using it is impossible to predict
precise R-Values of a final product. However, a few generalizations
can be inferred.
The higher the ratio of paper to mineral (cement, sand, clay, lime,
etc) content in a papercrete mix the higher the R-Value will be.
Therefore your mix that had less clay is probably the better
insulator. This is where some people can get themselves into
trouble. It can become tempting to greatly limit the mineral content
so much that the papercrete will become combustable. Don't get
caught in that trap. In most papercrete construction it is a simple
matter to just use a thicker wall to achieve the desired R-Value
rather.
When experimenting it is always a good idea to take one of your
samples and dehydrate it. (put it in your oven at 200DegF for a few
hours). Then torch test it. (If you torch test without dehydrating
it, your test won't be accurate.)
Latex will decrease R-Value, but not nearly as much as mineral
content will, but this is not important. Robert very eloquently
pointed out that the Latex should not be used in a situation where
you are counting on it to provide insulation. It is best used as an
ingredient in a surface layer for water resistance.
Hmmmmmm.......
Seems to me Connie... that you need to go through your trash and find
a few cans. Dig out your ice chest...
If you want to know your R-Value...TEST IT! Then you'll know for
certain exactly what you are dealing with.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/message/45
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "Robert & Connie" <losee04@...>
wrote:
>
<snip>
>
> My question is, do you know how much the addition of the sand and
> clay affect the R-value of the papercrete?
>
> We made a second batch as above but this time added about 1.5 cups
of
> latex paint. Does anyone know how this affects the R-value?
>
> Even though the two batches were poured and even tamped down next
to
> each other within about 1 1/2 hours or less of each other, they
> shrunk away from each other, leaving a significant gap between the
> two "logs" or two small retaining walls. Does anyone have an
> explanation of this? Why would such a small amount of latex make
> such a big difference?
>
> Connie
>
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