Kirkkauspinnoitteen
Kirkkauspinnoitteen, also known as "lightweight concrete," is a type of concrete that is designed to have a lower density than traditional concrete. This is achieved by incorporating lightweight aggregates, such as expanded clay, shale, or slate, or by using foamed concrete, which includes a large amount of air bubbles. The primary advantage of lightweight concrete is its reduced weight, which can lead to lower transportation costs and easier handling. It is commonly used in non-load-bearing applications, such as insulation, fill material, and as a core material in sandwich panels. Lightweight concrete also offers good thermal insulation properties, making it suitable for applications where energy efficiency is important. However, it generally has lower compressive strength compared to normal-weight concrete, which limits its use in structural applications. The production of lightweight concrete involves similar processes to traditional concrete, with the key difference being the use of lightweight aggregates or the introduction of air bubbles.