Autoclaved and non-autoclaved aerated concrete is made from the same basic components, but the first one is processed in a special oven – an autoclave.
As a result, an analogue of the natural mineral tobermorite is formed in aerated concrete. The main advantage of such aerated concrete is strength and reliability. The higher the percentage of tobermorite in aerated concrete, the stronger this building material.
Non-autoclaved aerated concrete cannot be autoclaved. As a rule, the mixture is left to harden under normal conditions. This method is cheaper because you do not need to use special equipment. But non-autoclaved aerated concrete is inferior to autoclaved in strength.
According to Anton Sheboldasov, today there are almost no factories that produce non-autoclaved aerated concrete. But there are still quite a few fakes on the market that are called aerated concrete, but this is foam concrete that can be made by hand in any garage. “Its main difference is a dark gray color, curved edges and uneven edges, the absence of any certificates and confirmed characteristics (what kind of load can withstand, what thermal conductivity, etc.). Such material is cheaper, ”the expert noted.