Abstract

In order to improve the stability of lightweight foamed concrete, the particle-stabilized foam (PSF) has been proposed because of its high stability. However, most PSFs added particles to foams, and few researchers have investigated whether the stabilization effect exists when particles are added to the paste. In this study, a new type of foamed concrete was prepared by adding different kinds of mineral powders to cement and using ionic surfactants to prepare foam. The influence of different mineral powders on the mechanical properties and durability of foamed concrete was investigated. Results showed that mineral powders decreased the drainage and disproportionation of foam, which stabilizes the foam. The excellent stability is attributed to the interaction between the mineral powders and ionic surfactants, which allows the mineral powders to adhere to the foam surface and form a dense granular film layer. Moreover, due to the interaction between mineral powders and ionic surfactants, hardened foamed concrete has a robust pore structure, which improves its properties.