Hi all, this is my first post, be gentle!
Several observations made before joining this forum. Henley's Manual has a recipe for fire-proofing:
"Paper is rendered fireproof by saturating with a solution of:
Ammonium sulfate 8 parts
Boric acid 3 parts
Borax 2 parts
Water 100 parts
This is very similar to the formula for hardening gypsum:
"Dissolve boric acid in hot water and add sufficient ammonia water to
the solution that the borate at first separated is redissolved. The
gypsum to be cast is stirred with this liquid or the gypsum once dried
is painted with the solution which is quickly absorbed. Articles
treated this way are as hard as stone."
So maybe adding gypsum to paper-crete is the way to go.
I experimented making paper-crete molds and found that by adding
slaked lime, the paper (which is mostly carbon) bonds with the
lime over time to form calcium-carbonate (rock) which doesn't
support combustion. I used about a third lime to portland. Possible
to treat with borates afterwards, if still found necessary.
Portland and gypsum could be the ticket.
And lastly, during the middle ages, mortar for cementing stones was made with a combination of unslaked lime and boiled oil which held
the stone. Chemistry is similar: Hungry lime + hungry hydrocarbon =
calcium-carbonate stone. This would make a fine coating for exterior
and inside plaster for papercrete structures, and I'll bet deep-fry
grease from restaurants could serve as the boiled oil.
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