2.3 What Properties Does Pumice Have?

Pumice has excellent properties. As a building material it is

Figure 8: Pumice extraction

- very light,
- inexpensive,
- refractory,
- resistant to pests,
- easy to work with,
- sound-absorbent,
- heat-insulating,
- temperature-balancing (Figs. 9, 10 and 11).

But then, it also has some negative properties like:

- the lower compressive strength of pumice concrete, as compared to concrete containing other, heavier aggregates;

- the tendency of its edges and corners to break off more easily than those of heavy concrete'

- its lack of frost resistance when wet.

Consequently, pumice building material should not be used for:

- foundations,
- components with constant exposure to water, e.g. in showers,
- components subject to heavy traffic, e.g. stair treads and floor tiles.

Figures 9, 10, 11