Experimental Study on Perlite Mortars

Abstract The present paper presents some of the results of the experimental research carried out by the authors in order to obtain construction materials, mortars in particular, which are more environmentally friendly, less polluting, while aiming to obtain new materials that also help to increase the energy efficiency of buildings. The study includes the realization and testing of several mortar samples with different compositions in order to reduce the consumption of cement, a polluting material by its way of obtaining but a main component of mortars. The mortar samples had cement and perlite in different dosages and some of them also had lime in different quantities. They have been mechanically tested, determining bending tensile strengths and compressive strengths. At the same time, there are some physical characteristics for the mortars obtained, namely the density of the samples and their mass loss over time. The interpretation of the results obtained helps us to obtain useful information regarding the composition of mortars with the addition of perlite, an ecological material, difficult to degrade, with special physical properties and the possibilities of their use in constructions in order to increase the energy efficiency of buildings, reduce energy consumption and in identifying new efficient and sustainable solutions for constructions and for the built environment.