The use of nanomaterials in pipe insulation

The nanotechnologies applied in engineering will increase its energy efficiency. The use of nanomaterials will make it possible to reduce costs. Currently, the search for nanomodified materials is relevant for the construction industry. Various carboncontaining structures are used as nanodispersed modifiers. Taunit has been selected as carbon nanomaterial. This nanomaterial is packaged multilayer nanotubes with a conical shape of graphene layers. To conduct this research samples of foam concrete cements have been studied. To improve the mechanical properties of the cement stone, elongated nanoparticles with high strength were used. They reinforce cement mortar, at the same time being the centers of crystallization and increase the strength of the nanomaterial. In the course of experiments, carbon nanotubes «Taunit» were added to the foam concrete in the amount of 0.005–0,0005% by weight of cement. In the manufacture of nanomodified foam concrete it is important to ensure uniform distribution of nanoparticles. The studied cement stone chips were sprayed with Au / Pd alloy in a Quorum 150T ES vacuum unit in a 80/20 ratio. The microstructure of solid samples of cement material was investigated by means of a high-resolution auto-emission electron microscope Merlin of CARL ZEISS. When multi-layered carbon nanotubes of “Taunit” brand were introduced into the cement mortar, the relief microstructure of the cement was characterized by a heterogeneous and loose structure. In the course of testing the strength of the investigated samples, the following results were obtained: under bending loads applied to cement-sand mortar for 7 days, hardening increased by 35%, and after 28 days – by 30%; under compressive loads, the increase in strength is 42% and 22%, respectively, relative to the original composition without the addition of nanomodified materials. The addition of nanodispersed modifiers to the cement stone made it possible to increase the strength of concrete and foam concrete. Based on the obtained nanomodified foam concrete, a device for insulating pipelines has been proposed.