Investigation of expanded clay aggregate and pine resin added plaster in biomedical material storage insulation

In this study, the aim was to produce concrete and plaster with expanded clay aggregate and pine resin as additives to enhance the strength for the preservation of medical and biomedical materials in storage facilities, without being affected by heat and humidity, instead of traditional aggregates. In the prepared samples for the experimental study, expanded clay aggregate with particle sizes of 0-2 mm and 2-4 mm was mixed with cement or gypsum binder in weight percentages of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. Additionally, resin was added to the mixtures in weight percentages of 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. A total of 48 samples were produced. In the study, resin-enhanced pozzolanic cement and satin plaster were used. As the amount of resin added to the samples increased, the thermal conductivity and compressive strength decreased. The lowest thermal conductivity was observed in samples with 2-4 mm particle size, 80% expanded clay aggregate, and 2% resin content in cement-based samples at 0.152 W/m·K, and in gypsum-based samples at 0.135 W/m·K. The highest compressive strength was observed in cement-based samples, with 22.5 MPa for the resin-free sample containing 0-2 mm particle size and 20% expanded clay aggregate, while in gypsum-based samples, it was determined as 4.09 MPa for the sample containing 0-2 mm particle size, 20% expanded clay aggregate, and 1% resin. The water absorption rate of the samples remained below the critical value of 30% in cement-based samples, whereas it exceeded this limit in gypsum-based samples. KEYWORDS: Expanded clay, pine resin, low-density plaster, insulation.