Papercreters: [papercreters] Re: Compressed Blocks

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

[papercreters] Re: Compressed Blocks

--
Good morning everyone,Light weight is important as well as r value im
not into lifting 30lb blocks either.Im thinking we wont need more
than 300 psi for compression we just want to remove a little water
and make a uniform block and keep the r factor.We live in a northern
climate and need all the r value we can get aswell.As far as geting
more paperis every where you just have to ask.Clair.

- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, Ron Richter <ronerichter@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
> This discussion regarding compressed blocks is very interesting.
From what I have done so far with the blocks I would make a couple of
comments. Light weight is synonymous with high insulation qualities
in papercrete blocks. When you chew up a bunch of paper, water,
cement, sand, and some lime, pour it into a box of some shape you are
making something as easily as possible. When you add the complexity
of an additional process and the necessity of delivering a slurry to
the press you are adding handling time.
> The other aspect of the DIY making of papercrete is that it solves
the need for insulation as well as the need for compressive strength
in a wall. Compressing the block does two thing that negates one of
these wonderful attributes. As you compress the block, sure the
uniformity of the finished product increases, but the trapped air is
what is leaving the block to get it smaller and more uniform. There
are two other things that are happening at the same time you compress
the block. One is that you are making it heavier, the other is that
you are using more paper to get the same wall out of uncompressed
blocks. Maybe you don't like the light weight, and ease of making
the blocks then go ahead and compress them. I need blocks that are
highly insulated because of the northern climes I frequent. I don't
particularly like the idea of having to find MORE paper to do the job
with less. In order to have the same insulation of a 10"
uncompressed block wall
> I would need a compressed block of at least 15" thickness (which
means even more paer).
>