Use of surfactants in building technology and metallurgy

The role of surfactants for the manufacture of foamed concrete and foamed gypsum is described in corresponding publications and is very limited by nature. Anionic surfactants or their mixtures with nonionic surfactants are, as a rule, used as foamers. Much attention is paid to the function of surfactants for road asphalts. Foamed asphalts are used under certain conditions [213] prepared with both natural surfactants contained in asphalts and synthesised 

The causes of breaking of asphalt emulsions in contact with mineral particles of various nature are analysed in [216]. When mineral particles are in contact with water, the pH value of the medium changes and the emulsions stabilised by cationic surfactants are stable between pH 1.3 to pH 6.3. Emulsions stabilized with anionic surfactants break at pH 10. In Japan [217], special cement-asphalt emulsions have been developed for low-traffic roads. 

In metallurgy, surfactants are used in the production of cutting oils used for cutting, sizing etc, as well as in drawing metals, and for other purposes. Typical formulations differ only in the type of surfactant and mineral oil quality. In [218], the following example formulation is given  

In practice, these high-concentration emulsions are diluted to 4 - 5% by oil content. 

---