The primary differentiating factor between foam concrete (CLC) and aerated concrete (ALC/NAAC) is the manner in which they are produced.
Aerated concrete is produced by mixing water, cement, fly ash, and additives in a high-speed mixer, followed by the addition of aluminum powder. This mixture is then poured into a mold and rises within 15-30 minutes, resulting in a uniform structure with small pores.
Foam concrete, on the other hand, involves combining water, cement, and fly ash before adding foam created with a foam generator machine. The mixture is slowly and carefully mixed to prevent the bubbles from bursting. However, the foaming agent used in foam concrete can negatively impact the cement's setting, necessitating 15-20% more cement and a longer setting time.
As a result, foam concrete may be more appropriate for casting floors and monolithic brickwork, where insulation and special strength are not necessary. However, the higher production cost and lower profit margin make it difficult for foam concrete to compete with aerated concrete in other applications.