title: Effect of a micro-copolymer addition on the thermal conductivity of fly ash mortars.
abstract: In this study, a copolymer composed of hollow spherical particles with an average particle size of 90 µm was evaluated as a lightweight aggregate in Portland cement-fly ash mortars to improve the thermal conductivity (k) of the composite. Mortars were produced for three different water/binder ratios by mass (w/b), 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6. Optimized proportions were obtained for a minimum target compressive strength of 35 kgf/cm2(3.4 MPa) according to the requirements of Mexican standards for non-structural masonry units. Thermal conductivity was determined for dry and saturated samples through the transient plane technique with average results of 0.16 W/(m·K) and 0.31 W/(m·K), respectively. These values represent an increment of 23 % and a reduction of 33 %, respectively, in comparison to an efficient Portland cement-based commercially available thermal insulator.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Durán-Herrera
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Campos-Dimas
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Valdez-Tamez
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Bentz
keywords: Thermal conductivity; fly ash; micro co-polymer; mortars