Aircrete is an inherently weak form of lightweight concrete. It is made from mortar mix (water and portland cement powder) and thick foam - essentially bubbles. The bubbles that create the foam aggregate slowly dissipate and disappear from the concrete leaving tiny air pockets, thus making "aircrete". But to make strong concrete, you typically want to avoid any kind of air pockets and hollow spots which lead to a weakened concrete product.

There are a few things that can be done to make a stronger finished aircrete product. Using high density foam to make the mix would be ideal. The bubbles are smaller and stronger and will last longer allowing the portland cement time to set and harden. Bubbles in a low density foam will collapse too early making the portland cement component of the aircrete fall in on itself before it has time to begin curing.

Adding a small amount of vegetable glycerin (or glycerine) to the liquid part of the aircrete mixture prolongs the lifespan of the bubbles giving the portland cement the time it needs to begin hardening. The glycerin can also help make more consistent foam density lending to the strength of the aircrete.

Fibers added to any concrete mix increase the tensile strength. Adding glass fibers to aircrete does the same, making the aircrete stronger than on its own. The fibers work similarly to steel rebar embedded in concrete. It helps the finished product not fail and break completely if it cracks - which pretty much all concrete is guaranteed to do.

A concrete accelerator could also be used in the mortar mix portion (cement and water) of the aircrete mixture. The accelerator would do exactly what it is supposed to and speeds up the initial set time of the cement making it harden faster than normal. This sped up process allows the aircrete to set up and harden before the bubbles begin to collapse resulting in a better quality finished aircrete product.

00:00-01:05 - Introduction
01:05-01:43 - Differences between aircrete samples
01:43-03:02 - Tip 1: Foam Density
03:02-04:20 - Tip 2: Vegetable Glycerin
04:20-05:31 - Tip 3: Glass Fibers
05:31-06:37 - Tip 4: Concrete Accelerator
06:37-06:55 - Conclusion

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