Optimal density for balancing the thermal conductivity and compressive strength of foamed ceramic

Abstract Foamed ceramic becomes increasingly popular in building engineering due to its thermal, acoustic and other advantages. However, conflicts often exist between its different properties. In this paper, we seek a balance between the thermal conductivity and the compressive strength of foamed ceramic. Experiments are performed on foamed ceramic with different densities. Nonlinear regression is then adopted to quantify the relationship between the thermal conductivity/compressive strength and the bulk density. The results indicate that both the thermal conductivity and the compressive strength increase with the rising density. Based on the requirements in the Chinese national standard, the optimum density range of foamed ceramic is proposed, satisfying a balance between the thermal and mechanical performance.