Possibility of producing lightweight, heat insulating bricks from pumice and H3PO4- or NH4NO3-hardened molasses binder

This investigation is based on the production of lightweight, heat-insulating, water-resistant or water-repellent materials from lightweight aggregates, such as pumice and/or expanded perlite, without using cement or plaster as a binder. The results of this investigation reveal that a H3PO4- or NH4NO3-hardened molasses binder with the addition of 2.5% borax could be an alternative binder for the production of lightweight, heat-insulating materials with moderate tensile strength. When these bricks were exposed to temperatures up to 825 °C, they did not lose their strength but, rather gained strength. Therefore, molasses binder could be an alternative to cement or plaster binder for construction and building materials with specific properties.