Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) panels - CSR Hebel PowerPanel Range
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CEM-AAC-001
Category mineral
Material Family Cementitious
Regulatory Status Non-combustible
Density
640 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
0.37 kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Non-combustible
Lifespan
50+ yrs
Description
Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panels are lightweight, steel-reinforced wall systems manufactured by CSR Hebel. PowerPanel 50 is a 50 mm-thick AAC panel designed for non-loadbearing external or internal walls, offering low weight and good thermal performance.
Primary Sectors
[Commercial]
Typical Uses
- External wall cladding (50-75mm)
- Internal partition walls
- Fire-rated walls (FRL up to 240/240/240)
- Acoustic barriers and intertenancy walls
- Flooring systems over joists (75mm)
- Commercial load-bearing walls (100-250mm)
- Balcony blade walls in high-rise buildings
- Shaft and service walls
- Bushfire-resistant construction (all BAL ratings)
Recycled Content <1
Renewable Content 0
Recyclability 74
Embodied Carbon 0.37 kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 3.5 MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Advantages
Non-combustible - meets all BAL categories75% lighter than precast concrete3x better thermal resistance than double brick60% faster installation than traditional masonryExcellent acoustic performance (Rw 42-65 dB)Termite and vermin resistant50+ year service lifeNCC deemed-to-satisfy material (AS 5146:2015)Can be cut with standard power toolsNo toxic emissions or VOCs
Cautions
Moisture sensitive - requires vapour-permeable coatingLimited impact resistance compared to traditional masonryCannot be field modified once installedRequires skilled trades familiar with AAC techniquesSingle Australian manufacturer (CSR Hebel)Higher initial cost than some alternativesBrittle - requires careful handlingProprietary fixings requiredFine silica dust during cutting requires PPEAdditional insulation needed for NCC thermal compliance in some zones
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CEM-AAC-001
Density (Dry) 640 kg/m3
Specific Gravity 0.51-0.58
Porosity 75-85 %
Water Absorption 20.9-32.7 %
Hardness 2-3
Surface Roughness Wire-cut smooth μm
UV Resistance Good with coating
Chemical Resistance Alkaline resistant
pH Tolerance 10-12
Compressive Strength >4.0 MPa
Tensile Strength 0.44-0.60 MPa
Flexural Strength 0.44-0.60 MPa
Shear Strength 0.30 MPa
Elastic Modulus 1435-1755 GPa
Impact Resistance Limited J/m
Bearing Capacity 40-80 kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.20-0.25
Creep Resistance Good
Abrasion Resistance Moderate
Thermal Conductivity 0.14 W/mK
Thermal Resistance 0.31-1.95 m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 900-1000 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 8.0 μm/m·K
Melting Point >1200 °C
Ignition Temperature >1200 °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 42-65
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.05-0.10
Optical
Light Transmittance 0 %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 70-85 %
AAC was invented in 1920s Sweden by architect Johan Axel Eriksson. German engineer Josef Hebel developed the steel-reinforced panel manufacturing process in 1945. CSR introduced AAC to Australia in 1990, establishing the Hebel brand. The Somersby, NSW facility was modernised in 2019. AS 5146 standards were published in 2015, achieving NCC deemed-to-satisfy status in May 2016, marking AAC's full acceptance in Australian construction.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CEM-AAC-001
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 0-1
Combustibility Class Non-combustible
Ignition Temperature >1200 °C
Fire Resistance Rating up to 60 minutes
Heat Release Rate 0 kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion None
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 0.37 kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 3.5 MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
LEED Points MR, EQ, EA categories
Circular Economy Score Moderate /100
VOC Emissions 0 g/L
Skill Level Skilled trades
Crew Size 2-4
Installation Time 20-30 hr/m²
Curing Time 24 hours
Setting Time 2-4 min
Temperature Range 5-40 °C
Humidity Range 20-90 %
Required Tools
Tungsten carbide saw bladesDiamond-tipped drill bitsRubber malletSpirit levelThin-bed mortar trowelP2 dust masksSafety glasses
Certifications Required
CSR Hebel installation training (recommended)White Card (mandatory)Working at Heights (if applicable)
Weather Limitations
Avoid installation in rainTemperature 5-40°CWind <40 km/h for panel handling
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CEM-AAC-001
Material Cost $70-170
Installation Cost $45-85
Annual Maintenance $0.50-1.50
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) $120-260
Market Availability Good - single manufacturer
Lead Time Project dependent weeks
Design Life 50+ years
Warranty Period 25 years
Maintenance Interval 5-10 months
Service Temp Range -40 to +80 °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Good
Dimensional Stability ±0.2
Certifications Held
AS 5146:2015 Parts 1-3 (Reinforced AAC)AS 3700:2018 (Masonry structures)CodeMark CM20222 (75mm panels)EPD-IES-0015419 (Environmental Product Declaration)Green Star compliant materialsEAACA health & safety certifiedNo formaldehyde or VOC emissions
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.1 Non-combustibleAS 1530.3 Early fire hazard indicesAS 1530.4 Fire resistance testing
Standards Compliance
NCC 2022 Deemed-to-SatisfyBCA Volume One & Two compliantASTM C1693 (AAC specification)ASTM C1694 (AAC test methods)ISO 14025 (EPD methodology)ISO 9001 (Quality management)EN 12602 (European AAC standard reference)
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.