Development of a Gypsum Foaming Agent Based on Alkyl Polyglucosides

Abstract

Abstract The formulation of gypsum foaming agents using alkyl polyglucosides (APG) as main surfactant was studied. The foaming behavior of the foam compound system and the stability of the foam were determined by experiments. The foaming property of APGs with various carbon chain lengths and of APGs in mixtures with other surfactants, such as cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAB), sodium lauryl amphoacetate (SLA) and sodium alcohol ether sulphate (AES) was investigated. The influence of some polymers used as foam stabilizers, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was also examined. Foaming times, foaming stability and bleeding ratio change were tested in order to investigate the properties of foaming and foam stability. Results indicated that the best foam performance was obtained by the composition based on APGs mixed with SLA and PVA. The optimal condition was as following: m(APG0810): m(APG1214): m(SLA) = 4: 1: 2, and PVA accounted for 10% (w/w) of total. After 1 minute, the foam multiplier was 4.35. Due to the improved mix system, it remained at 3.65 even after 15 min, with a mass fraction of 0.2%, a stirring speed of 1800 rpm and a stirring time of 3 min.