Papercreters: [papercreters] Re: new user

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

[papercreters] Re: new user

10% is not enough water.

Papercrete needs a lot more water than concrete. Don't confuse the
two. Papercrete is a WOOD product, not a masonry product.

By weight, you'll typically need a minumum 10 times as much water as
paper, usually more. Less water simply won't allow the paper to
break down and mix properly. You'll get a very weak block. Keep in
mind that the excess water will drain and evaporate out of the final
product.

For the type of experiment you're talking about, I recommend trying
the "bucket technique". We've discussed it many times, so feel free
to check the archives. There's pictures posted on the site too. The
bucket technique is simple. You take a long shaft that will fit into
a drill chuck. Mount some sharp blades on the end. Put on some
EXTRA HEAVY BOOTS. Then slurry the paper and water in a bucket.

Please be extra careful. That spinning blade can be hazardous.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/message/1509
(read the responses to that post listed underneath too.)

The recipe you listed should work fine as a first experiment if you
use more water. The papercrete you get after you let it drain and
after a few weeks of drying will be very very light and insulative.
That particular recipe will tend to smolder. That means that if you
expose it to fire and get it started, it will keep slowly smoldering
for hours or days until everything is consumed. Other recipes can
avoid that.

Oh yeah...
Tell us about your experiments as you go. Post pictures or videos if
you can.

HAVE FUN!

--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "xmd76" <xmd76@...> wrote:
>
>
> hi! basically i would like to try to use papercrete. if my
experiments
> are good for me enought i would like to use it as building material
> here in the UE promoting it (but i don't know yet if the material
will
> get the UE certification that is very strict).
> I actually travel a lot for work and there are some countries where
i
> think this material could be interesting to use. I also have an
> eco/friendly mentality and that is why I'm so interested in new
materials.
> Actually I don't think there are in my country or in europe some
> groups that organize experimental workshops (do you know something
> about it?).
> I have a question>
> to start an experiment, i try to make 10 kilos of papercrete.
> so as mix is good 60% paper, 25% cement, 5% sand, 10% water of this
> weight (10 kilos)? i haven t a mixer yet but i think i could try to
> mix handly just to try it.
>
> thanks a lot (and sorry for my english that sometimes is not corect)
>
>