Glossary

Industrial mortar: is batched and mixed in a factory. It may be “dry”, which is ready mixed only requiring the addition of water, or “wet”, which is supplied ready to use.

Mineral rendering/plastering mortar: is a mix of one or more inorganic binders, aggregates and sometimes admixtures and/or additives used as external or internal plasters.

External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS): is an on-site applied system of factory made products, comprising, as a minimum, adhesive mortar and/or mechanical fixing devices, thermal insulation material, one or more layers of a base coat, reinforcement, finishing coat. The components are inseparable.

Cementitious adhesive: is a mixture of hydraulic binder(s), aggregates, polymeric agents and other organic additives used to bond materials.

Levelling mortar: is a designed mortar for levelling floors or screeds to obtain a flat and smooth surface. It is mainly used for flooring on horizontal surfaces.

Repair mortar: is a designed mortar for repair or replacement of defective concrete. It can be “structural” (contributing to the strength of the construction) or non-structural.

Centrifugation: The centrifugation process involves applying a layer of liquid metal to the inside surface of a mould turning at high speed and solidifying the metal by continually cooling the mould. The hot and fluid metal is poured in a spiral which immediately becomes a regular and continuous layer of metal, maintained in a cylindrical form by the centrifugal forces created by the mould's rotation. At the same time, the outside of the mould is cooled to absorb the calories and bring the temperature of the liquid metal down until it solidifies (at around 1,150°C).

Cupola furnace: equipment producing liquid cast iron from ferrous materials such as cast iron or scrap metal, using coke as both fuel and carboniser.

Cataphoresis: an electrochemical immersion coating process employing very little solvent and allowing an extremely even coat of epoxy to be applied to the surface of metallic parts to protect them against corrosion.

Grey cast iron : an alloy of iron and carbon (3 to 4%) moulded into strip form (at a foundry) for general metalworking use.

Ductile cast iron : an alloy of iron and carbon (3 to 4%) moulded into nodules (at a foundry). The carbon nodule form gives the cast iron particularly high mechanical characteristics (resistance, elasticity, etc.).

Acoustic insulation: concerns all measures taken to reduce the transmission of noise from its source to the places which must be protected or insulated. Insulation prevents noise from being transmitted from one room or enclosed area to another. Insulation results in a reduction of sound (making it a gain) expressed by an (Rw) index in decibels (dB). 

Acoustic correction: concerns the propagation of sound energy inside a singled enclosed space (e.g.: restaurant, auditorium or covered area, but also a large living room in a private house). It is designed to reduce sound reverberation time from the walls (echo effect). The correction is expressed by an αw (acoustic absorption) index.  

Glass wool: mineral glass or rock wools are traditional insulating materials which have been installed in buildings for more than 60 years to provide acoustic and heat insulation or for fire protection. Manufactured from sand or recycled glass, Isover wools have a very positive environmental impact. They preserve the environment throughout their entire life cycles, offering enhanced comfort at lower cost to those using the buildings they insulate.  

Thermal bridges: these are junction points where the insulation is not continuous and results in losses of heat.  

Efficient insulator: this is one offering the highest possible certified Thermal Resistance (R). It is achieved by choosing insulators with the lowest possible heat conducting coefficient (lambda) to deliver the best thermal performance. This means, that for the same thickness, the insulation with the lowest lambda value will provide the best Thermal Resistance.

Gypsum: Gypsum is a mineral made up of calcium sulphate hydrate. Gypsum is mined in opencast quarries or underground galleries, using specific drilling equipment and nonpolluting explosives. Mined rocks can be up to 50 cm in diameter. Crushed and heated in kilns, the gypsum is finally ground to obtain plaster powder.

Saint-Gobain Gypsum is currently diversifying its supplies by obtaining synthetic gypsum, the by-product of an industrial chemical reaction resulting from the treatment of smoke generated by coal-fired power stations.

Plaster: Transforming gypsum into plaster is one of the oldest processes known to man. It has been used since the most ancient times for construction and decoration. Plaster production is divided into types: plaster powder, plaster blocks and plasterboard. Plaster has a number of properties:
- it is a particularly environmentally-friendly material, requiring little energy for its manufacture as well as being non-toxic and recyclable.
- it is a sound insulator which reduces the transmission of sound waves
- its porosity also makes it a hydrometric regulator enabling it to reduce ambient humidity.
- it is an extremely fire-resistant material which does not burn, therefore providing excellent fire protection.
- it is a material which can be used for decorative purposes, offering a great many possibilities in terms of form and colour, as well as great elegance.