LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) for insulation Hearth

[Kypreos]

Does anybody out there have any experience with using LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) - aka Lytag as an insulant?

I'm wondering whether it could be substitued for Vermiculite / perlite in the Concrete Insulation Hearth mix...

Seems to me that it would provide a much more rigid load-bearing platform for the insulating hearth than the 'cork-like' vermivulite/perlite mix...?

[dmun]

I think this is a new one on us. From this page:

Although light expanded clay aggregate is typically more expensive then the other popular grow media - such as rockwool, coconut fiber or perlite and vermiculite - clay aggregate pellets are one of the only growing medium that can be cleaned and reused repeatedly after each hydroponic growing season.

I don't think you need to worry about the compressive strength of vermiculite (or perlite) concrete. They make swimming pools out of it, and they support tons of water.

But to answer your question, I'm sure it would work fine.

[waltiti]

Hi,
Im new ,first , thanks for this great information.

I want to know if the LECA is used in the same proportion like perlite or vermiculite.

Thanks a lot.

[waltiti]

Hi thanks for the help

How much will be the proportions to make an insulate lightweight pre-cast framework 2" to 2 1/2 " thick wall with sand , portland, Leca and lime, with around 3/8 rebar 4.2 mm ( thick rebar make this crack ).

I thinking to used mortar type N and add 2 parts Leca, thats correct.?

Also I can sustitute Leca for perlite, vermiculite , to have the same results (insulate lightwheigt concrete )

Thanks for the help the idea is make something easy to move.

Walt

[Bakehus]

Hi,
if of interest i use expanded Clay quit often for my ovens.
loose or mixed with firecement depending what i want to achieve.
Its very pleasant to work with no dustmask or gloves required and over here in europe its much cheaper than vermiculite or perlite. its main use is as a bedding for roadconstrution and they need a lot of it. i get it in tonne bags.

hope that helped a little
cheers

[waltiti]

thanks, I already use the lecca, is very good, the oven is a lot more light easy to move, here in USA is not cheap...

thanks