Stabilisation of mineral foams

Abstract

The invention relates to a mineral foam stabilized by an association of surfactants comprising: a first surfactant carrying at least one sulfate group; and a second amphoteric surfactant.

Claims

1. A mineral foam containing water, mineral particles, wherein the mineral particles are particles of plaster, water-repellent agents, and a combination of surfactants comprising: at least one first surfactant (S1) bearing at least one sulfate group; and at least one second surfactant (S2) that is amphoteric.

2. The mineral foam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: alkyl ether sulfates; alkyl sulfates; and mixtures of two or more of these compounds.

3. The mineral foam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: amine oxides; glycinates; sultaines; and mixtures of two or more of these compounds.

4. The mineral foam as claimed in claim 1, suitable for the formation of lightweight building materials.

5. The mineral foam as claimed in claim 2, wherein alkyl ether sulfates are C8-C18 alkyl ether sulfates.

6. The mineral foam as claimed in claim 5, wherein C8-C18 alkyl ether sulfates are C12 and C13 alkyl ether sulfates.

7. The mineral foam as claimed in claim 2, wherein alkyl sulfates are C8-C18 alkyl sulfates.

8. The mineral foam as claimed in claim 7, wherein C8-C18 alkyl sulfates are C12 alkyl sulfates.

9. A process for forming a stable foam, the process comprising forming the foam with a combination of surfactants comprising: at least one first surfactant (S1) bearing at least one sulfate group; and at least one second surfactant (S2) that is amphoteric; and contacting the foam with mineral particles, wherein the mineral particles are particles of plaster.

Description

EXAMPLE

(1) Three surfactant formulations according to the invention have been tested, which have the compositions reported in table below (where the masses of each component are in grams)

(2) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE Formu- Formulation 1 lation 2 Formulation 3 Rhodapex ESB 70 15.68 7.84 19.6 Lauryl ether sulfate Rhodapon LX 28 AF3 3.84 Sodium lauryl sulfate Rhodapex EST 65 4.16 Sodium tridecyl ether sulfate Fentacare OA 12 4.32 2.736 2.1 Amine oxide Geroppon CG 3S 0.8 Glycine N-coco acyl Statistical copolymer 1.6 vinylpyrolidone/DADMAC 80/20 Water 79.2 81.4 77.5

(3) The three formulations all stabilize foam well, with good maintenance of foam volume, greater than that observed with a standard commercial product (HOSTAPUR OSB).