Mineral fillers for composites, polymer concretes and microcement

Construction materials such as polymer concretes, composites and others have changed the way modern structures are built. A key aspect of its success is the use of mineral fillers, as these add strength and durability to the final material. In this article, we will explore the different types of mineral fillers used in the manufacture of construction materials.

1. Types of mineral fillers and their application

Mineral fillers are solid inorganic materials, such as clay, gravel, limestone, slate, gypsum and kaolin, that are used to modify the strength, durability and other properties of construction materials. These are light, moderate and heavy loads. Light fillers include expanded clay, perlite and steel slag. Moderate fillers are gravel, kaolin and mica. The heavy loads are limestone, gypsum and slate. These mineral fillers can be used to manufacture polymer concretes, composites and other construction materials.

2. Mineral fillers in the manufacture of polymer concrete

Polymeric concretes are widely used in construction due to their resistance to atmospheric agents, their low water absorption and their long useful life. These concretes are made with materials such as fine and coarse sand, gravel, limestone and polymers. In addition to these basic materials, mineral fillers such as gypsum, expanded clay, mica and slag are also added to improve their mechanical properties and weather resistance. These mineral fillers also help reduce production costs by allowing a smaller amount of base material in the mix.

3. Mineral fillers in the manufacture of composites

Composites are made up of a combination of natural materials such as lignin, cellulose and clay as well as chemical additives such as polymers, epoxy resins and pigments. This combination provides greater mechanical resistance to construction materials. The addition of mineral fillers such as gypsum, mica and slag to composite materials allows improving the physical parameters of the material such as fire resistance, humidity resistance and corrosion resistance. These mineral fillers also allow a reduction in the total base material content in the mixture, allowing for a higher yield of the final product.

4. Mineral fillers in the manufacture of construction materials

Construction materials are manufactured with a combination of different components such as Portland cement, coarse and fine aggregates, as well as chemical additives that improve their mechanical properties and impermeability. These components are combined with different types of mineral fillers to achieve a desired effect in terms of color, weather resistance and durability. Among the mineral fillers used in this process we can find expanded clay, kaolin, mica, gypsum, slate and slag that allow improving the physical parameters of the material for final construction.

5. Advantages of materials manufactured with mineral fillers

Materials manufactured with mineral fillers have numerous advantages over those traditionally used in construction that do not contain such additives. Greater resistance to corrosion due to the presence of non-ferrous minerals such as kaolin; an improvement in the color of the material due to the presence of pigments; greater resistance to weathering thanks to chemically inert components; better mechanical properties; greater durability thanks to wear-resistant components; as well as lower energy consumption due to a lower total content of basic material in the mixtures are some of the advantages offered by products manufactured with these mineral fillers.

The different types of mineral fillers used in the manufacture of polymer concrete, composites and other construction materials offer an infinite number of options for builders. These mineral fillers can significantly improve the strength, durability and quality of building materials, allowing builders to design safer, more durable buildings. In summary, mineral fillers are a useful tool for the manufacture of high-quality construction materials.