Effect of cement powder types on the physicochemical and thermal insulation properties of solidified foam

Abstract

The solidified foam extinguishing agent was prepared by using the mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium alcohol ether sulphate as surfactant, xanthan gum as foam stabilizer, aluminum sulfate as coagulant and three kinds of cement powder. The effect of cement type on the physicochemical properties and thermal insulation properties of solidified foams were investigated. The results show that the aluminate cement solidified foam (SF_AC) exhibits the optimal comprehensive performance with the collapse ratio of 5.68%, and the excellent adhesion and thermal insulation simultaneously. The aluminate cement rapidly hydrates and condenses in the process of mixing with the foam fluid to form a stable three-dimensional skeleton system connected by numerous cell structures. The SF_AC shows the highest viscosity of 6635 ± 3 mPa s and the shortest initial setting time of 185 ± 3 s among three samples, which maintains the surface integrity and the stability under high thermal radiation, thus effectively slowing down the heat transfer inside the solidified foam.