Light Expanded Clay Aggregate WHAT IS LECA

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Light Expanded Clay Aggregate WHAT IS LECA:

Leca is an acronym term for (light expanded Clay Aggregate) which is produced in rotary kiln at about 1200 degree centigrade. LECA is imported in india by GBC INDIA.

PROPERTIES LIGHTNESS: Lightness of Leca is for the multi-separated air spaces which exist inside and among the aggregates, density of aggregates, depending on the size of Leca, Is ﬂuctuated from 380 to 710 kg/m3

THERMAL INSULATION:

Thermal conductivity coefﬁcient for LECA aggregate is about 0.09 < y < 0.101 and for Leca concrete 0.208 w/mc o with density of 800 kg/m3. the results have tested for the high quality for insulating feature of Leca products.

SOUND INSULATION: Leca aggregate and block are among the best insulating materials and according to conducted tests, sound in Leca blocks with 10 cm width and 15 cm width respectively fades 45db and 46 db and refers to relavant standards codes are suitable for most of purposes. FIRE RESISTANCE: Since Leca aggregates are exposed to 1200 degree centigrade temperature in rotary kiln, these aggregates are suitable fire resistance and have already passed the practical test during the producing process. walls made of Leca blocks (about 130 kg/m 2 ) can resist 3 hours against fire and fire stretch which should be considered a crucial safety element.

NON-DECOMPOSABILITY: Leca aggregate strongly resists against alkaline and acidic substances and pH of nearly 7 makes it neutral in chemical post reaction with concrete.

WATER ABSORPTION: For closed inside porousness, average water absorption of Leca aggregate (0-25 mm) is about 18 percent of volume in saturated state during 72 hours.

APPLICATIONS AND ADVANTAGES: LECA aggregates are available in various sizes. Four usual gradations are 0-4mm, 4-10mm, 10-25mm and 0-25mm. Leca bulk dried density and their applications for different gradations are illustrated in table below:

Leca wide applicability Leca Gradation Density (Max)

Leca Light Weight Concrete, light weight block, Prefabricated Panels&Slabs. Light Filler, Leca Mortar and Water Puriﬁcation system. Agriculture & 0-4 mm < 710 kg/m 3 Aquaculture.

Light Weight Concrete, light weight block, Prefabricated Panels & Aquaculture, 4-10 mm < 480 kg/m 3 Ornamentation.

Lightweight Filler Concrete, Sewage system. Landscaping, Agriculture and 10-25 mm < 380 kg/m 3 Aquaculture, Drainage.

Floor and Roof sloping, Light weight Filler, Road Construction. 0-25 mm < 430 kg/m 3 LECA IN CONSTRUCTION

Lightweight aggregates concrete: In all the cases which lightening and insulation should be considered in buildings, Leca light weight aggregate (structural& non- structural) comparing to autoclaved aerated concrete foam concrete or concrete made of pumice or scoria has a wider range of applicability.

Leca lightweight concrete block: Leca block (back) is produced by mixing of Leca aggregates, Cement, sand and water. Using of Leca aggregate decreases the concretey. densit

ADVANTAGES:

1- Lightening up to 30% of dead load. 2- Self thermal & Sound Insulation 3- Appropriate Behavior in Earthquake. Low Module of elasticity of Leca Concrete, and having cement base material as well as its mortar, in addition to the lightness, reduces the destructive effects of earthquake on structure. Shapes of Leca blocks are designed for conducting vertical mortar in joints which minimizes the rubble threat. Referring to mentioned reasons, using of Leca blocks prevents buildings from asymmetric settlement and other detrimental side effects.

4- Physical Operation: Leca Blocks are suitable for any physical operation like cutting, nailing, transﬁxing and ridge extending to make proper route for wire, pipe and othe installing components without any cracking.

5- Accelerating Construction, Saving time, Labor, and material: For lightness and different sizes and dimensions of Leca blocks, walling up could be done in high speed which leads to save time, labor and material. 6- Safe for Installation: Being chemically neutral, Leca aggregate and blocks are the best bed for building installation and prevent pipe and wires from decay. Leca blocks are designed in a way not to be only lightweight but cover all required.

FLOORING AND ROOFING: Lightness, insulating, durability, non-decomposability, structural stability, and chemical neutrality features are collected in Leca as the best lightweight aggregate for ﬂooring and rooﬁng and in the most suitable and reasonable replacement for pumice, scoria and

Leca built home keeps you warm in winter and cold in summer polystyrene, moreover Leca aggregates are used to mark insulating lightweight concrete for all ﬂoors substructures under stone, marble or ceramic etc.

LECA AGGREGATE IN AGRICULTURE: Leca prepares the best convenience bed for growth of plants due to: Ventilating of the soil and root, preventing soil from evaporation and saving water for sponge like body of aggregate, water feeding adjustment, lightness insulation, chemically neutral, environmental-friendly, cleaner than soil and no pestilential effects on soil, plants or your hands.

FILTRATION: Being utilized in house waste water treatment as Leca- made ﬁlters, is supported by its features in question.

For more details contact: GBC INDIA A/408, Neelkanth Palace,100 Ft., Satelitte, Ahmedabad-380015 Phone : 079-26930619 Mobile : 9825070625 , 8866117051 website : www.lecaindia.org email : [email protected] AGRILECA: EXPANDED CLAY WITH SPECIFIC PH FOR HANGING GARDENS, NURSERY-GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE Advantages: A special LECA AgriLeca is the Italian-made expanded clay designed specifically by Laterlite for flower-growing, horticulture and gardening which uses top quality and selected raw materials to obtain, besides the renowned advantages offered by Leca, also a very low salinity release.

Natural AgriLeca does not contain organic substances, does not decompose, and is rot-free and parasite-free.

Easy to use AgriLeca can be kept for an unlimited time, without ever changing. Supplied in bags it is easy to use, store, carry and dose.

Practical AgriLeca is produced in two different grain sizes, 3÷8 and 8÷15; it is supplied pumped with tank trucks, loose in dumpers or in 50 liter plastic bags (20 bags per m3 , in pallets of 65 bags. Dry weight approx. 440 Kg/m3 (22 Kg/bag) for sizes 3÷8 and approx. 380 Kg/m3 (19 Kg/bag) for size 8÷15.

Specific pH Its pH is between 6 and 7. Fields of Use: Mixed in the soil or as a draining layer or humidity preservation layer for hanging gardens, flower pots and plants in vases. Filling up of surfaces for the cultivation of vase plants. Arrangement of flower pots, Hydroculture.

Fields of Use: VASE PLANTS AgriLeca, in peat substrates limits excessive water retention, enhances drainage and increases the porosity for the air, an essential factor for the proper growth of roots and plants; a humid but not wet soil limits the formation of rotten roots and parasite fungus. AgriLeca does not release any salinity and does not change the pH factor of the mixture, thanks to its low buffer power.

AgriLeca does not turn yellow, does not pack down, doesn't change or decompose in time or due to humidity; it's aesthetically nice to see. The quantities for the AgriLeca mixture with peat or the already prepared peat substrate, must be chosen by the flower-grower according to the plant, the peat, the irrigation times used in the greenhouse. Generally it ranges from 20% (1 part of AgriLeca every 4 of peat) to 40% (2 parts of AgriLeca every 3 parts of peat).

HANGING GARDENS AgriLeca is the right product for creating lightened draining layers for plants and hanging gardens. In the mixtures with the cultivation soil, it assures lightness to the structure and a water and air reserve for the plants. AgriLeca is perfect for filling flower pots and boxes. It can be supplied with dumper trucks or tank trucks equipped for vertical pumping up to 30 m or horizontal up to 80÷100 m.

FLOWER POT ARRANGEMENT AgriLeca has a pleasant aesthetical appearance, and has become a must for plants cultivated in vases. The brownish round (not spherical) granules are a natural finishing for flower pots and flower arrangements. BOX FILLING AgriLeca is used to fill boxes and assures a constant temperature, drainage, humidity level and no maintenance, especially when the roots stick out of the vase..

PLANTS IN GREEHOUSE CONTAINERS The soil in the containers is subject in time to pressing due to its weight and the water. Adding AgriLeca significantly and permanently improves its porosity features for air and drainage, thus avoiding the suffocation of the roots and enhancing the overall result. Furthermore, the soil, with 20-30% of AgriLeca, reduces the excessive weight of the containers, yet assuring the necessary stability.

AgriLeca is also useful when moving plants from the container to the customer's garden. A layer of AgriLeca on the bottom of the hole assures drainage and the right level of humidity so the plants take root better.

HYDROCULTURE AgriLeca is the ideal substrate for hydro-culture. The minimum level of salinity released assures the inertia of the substrate, primary condition for the proper operation of the system. It is also lightweight and easy to handle, it has moderate water retention and excellent porosity for air. The shape and the different sizes of the grains are such as to “bound” well and assure a good support to plants, even tall and heavy ones.

Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (Leca) is a great growing medium for all plants. It provides excellent drainage as well as moisture retention. Use it as a decorative mulch for potted plants, in ground plants, as an add mix to containers, and as a bottom layer for drainage. It is also widely used in hydroponic growing and is pH neutral. The pores in the stones store water and release water when required therefore providing an excellent environment for root development. Ideal for roses, orchids and all types of fruits and vegetables

Light expanded clay aggregate, also commonly referred to as "grow rock", is ideal for indoor hydroponic growth because of its neutral properties - L.E.C.A. has no acid or alkaline characteristics. Hydroponics gardeners appreciate the neutrality of L.E.C.A. because so many are aware how difficult it is to maintain a perfect alkaline/acidic balance in soil gardening

Because L.E.C.A. comes in the form of lightweight pebbles, nutrients are carried to the plant's roots on a continuous basis. Although continuous saturation of plant roots typically results in root rot, L.E.A.C. eliminates the root rot threat because of the distribution of the pebbles - which allows adequate space and oxygen between the L.E.C.A. pebbles and the plant's roots. Pack size: 50 ltrs. (Approximately 18kg when dry)

Coverage:One bag will cover approximately 1 Sqm at 50mm depth.

Granule size: Approx. 8-12mm

Density:The dry density of lightweight expanded clay aggregates is approximately 350 kg/m3.

Description & Application: Expanded clay granules, generally known as LECA (acronym of lightweight expanded clay aggregate), are granules of fired clay, used in construction and horticulture.

LECA is made by pelletising and firing clay in a rotary kiln at a very high temperature. As it is fired, the organic compounds in the clay burn off forcing the pellets to expand and become honeycombed while the outside surface of each granule melts giving a ceramic shell. The resulting granules are lightweight, porous, and have a high resistance to crushing.

Being a natural product LECA contains no harmful substances, it is inert with neutral pH, The granules are resistant to frost and chemicals, and will not break down in water. They are also non-combustible and have excellent sound and thermal insulation properties.

Applications:

Horticulture Expanded clay pellets are pH neurtral, and are porous, yet have the ability to store water. The gaps between the pellets provide good aeration for root systems. By virtue of being lighter than normal aggregates clay granules are easier to transport and handle and are frequently used by sports and recreation contractors for drainage and back-filling to concrete structures. Expanded clay pellets are used as a substrate in hydroculture / hydroponics, and blended with other growing media to improve drainage insulate roots from frost. They can also be spread as a top dressing (mulch) around plants to retain moisture and help prevent weed growth. Filtration and purification of wastewater and water for fish farms. Insulation especially under flooring on roofs in particular for "Green Roofing Systems". Heat proofing in kilns, stoves and ovens. As a component in lightweight concrete. and as a backfill to structuresAgriLECA- Growing Media

AgriLECA is our trade name for "expanded clay," a lightweight gravel which is imported specifically for hydroponic cultivation. AgriLECA media is the first choice for many commercial growers specializing in flower and vegetable cultivation. Not to be confused with many other kinds of expanded clay which look similar but which are often toxic, AgriLECA is pH stabilized and releases practically no minerals into the nutrient stream; in other words AgriLECA is almost completely inert - except for offering excellent moisture and oxygen capacity to stimulate healthy root development.

Clean and dust free Strong pebble structure doesn't crush 4-10 mm pebble size range

AgriLECA is available in sizes 10 ltr , 50 ltr , 100 ltr Bag

AgriLECA CLAY PEBBLES (10 Liter/10+lbs) AgriLECA clay pebbles are made of 100% natural clay. Hydroton is inert, pH-neutral, clean and at the same time, decorative.

Potting media for Orchids - Used alone or in combination with coconut husk chips, bark, charcoal or other orchid media, AgriLECA porous structure can provide excellent aeration around the roots while its ability to act as a water reservoir will be appreciated by your orchids when water is needed. The size of the pebbles is perfect for medium to large Cattleyas and Laelias.

Hydrophonic/Hydroculture media - The capilliarity and the structure of the clay pebbles ensures good root aeration and prevents rotting, excess acidity and soil pests.

Drainage - Compared to gravel, AgriLECA is lighter and can act as a water reservoir. AgriLECA can then release the water when its surroundings needed it.

Decoration - With its red colour and mostly round shape, AgriLECA is often used as a decorative top-layer for indoor plants and outdoor gardens. As a top layer, it will also prevent the top soil from drying out quickly.