QUALITY AND INNOVATION IN BUILDING

Diathonite®
the cork plaster

thermal, dehumidifying, sound-absorbing,

sound-proofing, eco-friendly
Demonstrative tests
DiaSen® started its research about cork-based pla-
sters as early as 1985.
Our studies were aimed to achieve one single pro-
duct that had excellent thermal, dehumidifying and
sound-absorbing characteristics as well as a long
life (in cold, hot or saline environments) and was
easy to apply.
Diathonite®’s early test pieces were seasoned for
28 days at 18°C and then subjected to very harsh
stresses to test their resistance to freezing, fast
thawing and high temperatures (up to 100°C for 12
hours). The plaster perfectly withstood all the stres-
ses specified by the regulations in force as well as
those performed independently by our own laborato-
ry, which has always tested all our products to the
limits. Having made sure of the perfect resistance
of the product, we put it into water and sodium
sulphate (concentration 10%) for 180 days on end.
After two years’ laboratory tests, we got the final
confirmation of the high quality of the material. In
1988 Diathonite® was put into industrial production
and marketed. Today it boasts thousands of referen-
ces both in Italy and abroad.
Cork
Alveoli
Clay
Technical and physical
analysis of the components
Cork We opted for cork because it is a complete
material that can be effectively adjusted to the
new trends in the building industry. It is non-toxic,
biologically pure, inalterable, water-proof, transpi-
ring, resistant, thermally inert, electrically neutral,
and non-deformable. It also has good mechanical
resistance, low combustion velocity and excellent
acoustic qualities.
Clay It was the first material used by man for buil-
ding purposes. Its function in the Diathonite® mixtu-
re consists in making the mortar thicker. As it is a
porous lightweight inert material, it has a very good
thermal coefficient too.
Diatomeic powder It is a natural mineral that deri-
ves from the accumulation of organic materials
such as cuttlebones and vegetables in prehistoric
times especially on ocean floors, which would with-
draw and leave ore deposits in different locations
on the Earth. The high porosity degree (85%) of the
diatomeic powder volume allows to absorb liquids
up to 1.5 times its own weight remaining a com-
pletely dry inert material. This is the reason of the
great dehumidifying capacity of Diathonite®.
Various natural additives All of these additives,
which are derived from vegetables, are environ-
mentally friendly. Their function is to amalgamate
the mixture making it easier to work and apply. It
also produces the micropits needed to keep water-
vapour permeability high and to improve the binding
thermal resistance.
Polypropylene fibres (the only chemically produced
material). There is no doubt about major role played
by fibres in the building industry. Their function is
to prevent the formation of cracks in the mortar
and to prevent thermally-coated walls from gene-
rating heat bridges.They also make the plaster
extremely resistant from the mechanical point of
view. Polypropylene fibres do not leave any toxic
residues and the small quantity used to manu-
facture Diathonite® does not affect the product’s
biocompatibility, which remains perfectly steady
over time even in critical areas such as pillars and
curtain elements.
Diathonite section
(enlargement 200%)
 l = 0,045
Natural premix
Diathonite® is a thoroughly natural premix made with cork,
clay, diatomeic powders and natural additives that are combi-
ned with hydraulic lime NHL 3.5, to produce a dehumidifying
and sound-absorbing thermal mortar ideal for external ther-
mal insulation on outside walls (even when there is a lot of
humidity), soundproofing on partition walls between separate
housing units, and corrective actions for sound absorption in
internal environments.

All the materials used to produce Diathonite® have a life

amounting to hundreds of years - archaeological excavations
have recently unearthed the ruins of Roman houses dating back
to over 2,000 years ago that had been insulated with cork.

Diathonite® Premix Diathonite® Evolution

Sound-absorbing, soundproofing, dehumi- Highly thermal and dehumidifying plaster
difying and slightly thermal plaster. designed to comply with the Thermal
Standard on energy saving included in
Italian Legislative Decree No. 311.

TECHNICAL DATA UNI DATI TECNICI Norme UNI

Standards
UNI 7745 Thermal conductivity λ = 0,045 W/m°C UNI 7745/77
Thermal conductivity λ = 0,083 W/m°C
UNI 12667
Resistance to vapour diffusion μ = 4,5 UNI 9233
Resistance to vapour diffusion μ=5 UNI 9233
Density 360 Kg/mc±20Kg
Apparent specific weight 168 Kg/mc
Resistance to compression 1,5 N/mm2 UNI 558/95
Density 450 Kg/mc±20Kg
CSE RF 3/77
Resistance to compression 3,0 N/mm 2
UNI 6132 Resistance to fire Class Class 1
CSE 2/75/A
CSE RF 3/77 Water absorption 0,35 Kg/m2h0,5 DIN 52617
Resistance to fire Class 1
CSE 2/75/A
Water absorption 0,35 Kg/m2h0,5 DIN 52617
α>70% ISO 354
Sound absorption
(between 600/1500Hz) (1985)
Sound proofing against walking L’nw 58dB UNI EN ISO
noise emission (with DiaFon) 140-7
Soundproofing against walking L’nw 56dB UNI EN ISO
noise emission (with double DiaFon) 140-7
UNI 140-5
Standard soundproofing of façade D2m,nT,w=46 dB
UNI 717-1
Soundproofing of façade Rw >55 dB ISO 717
Diathonite® Evolution
Highly thermal and dehumidifying

Thermal standard 311 Parameters and solutions

According to Italian Legislative Decree No. 311 all
the new, renovated and existing buildings to be put
on the real-estate market are required to have an
ENERGY CERTIFICATION.

It has become a must-have document because:

• It is an integral part of the conveyance agree-
ment Those who build in compliance with the
• It is valid for 10 years regulations do stand out on the market
• Once obtained, it must be re-issued 10 years later.
Proper insulation with materials having excellent Transmittance parameters required on vertical outside walls
thermal steadiness over time becomes very impor-
Climatic U 2008 U 2010
tant zone (W/m2°C) (W/m2°C)
• The structure can be subject to checks in operating A 0,72 0,62
conditions within 5 years from the end of the work B 0,54 0,48
C 0,46 0,40
• Non-conformity may have the following consequen-
D 0,40 0,36
ces: criminal charges, notification to the Register, E 0,37 0,34
considerable depreciation of the commercial value F 0,35 0,33
of the building. Division walls between separate housing units U = 0,8 w/m2 °C

How many cm of Diathonite Evolution

are needed to be compliant with the law?
AREA E AREA D Just 7,5 year
before saving begins
2008

2010

2008

2010

Type of masonry
70% of the money spent on energy in a one-family building
- Thermal block 25 cm (700 kg/mc) - λ 0,26 W/mK
7 8 6 7,5
derives from the heating system. Good thermal insulation
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm is able to ensure 80-90% saving on heating costs.
- Thermal block 30 cm (700 kg/mc) - λ 0,26 W/mK Given that the amount spent on proper thermal insulation of
6,5 7,5 5,5 6,5
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm
- Thermal block 35 cm (700 kg/mc) - λ 0,26 W/mK
a one-family building approximately amounts to 6.000,00
5,5 6,5 4,5 6 euros per body, it can be inferred that:
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm
- Thermal block 25 cm (700 kg/mc) -λ 0,18 W/mK
5 6,5 4 5
• Yearly saving on average heating costs will be 800,00
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm euros
- Thermal block 30 cm (700 kg/mc) - λ 0,18 W/mK
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm
4 5 3 4 • Payback time will be:
- Thermal block 35 cm (700 kg/mc) -λ 0,18 W/mK
7.5 years (without calculating the increases in fuel
3 4 2 3
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm costs).
- Solid brick 40 cm (1600 kg/mc) Source: Casa Clima
8,5 9,5 7,5 9
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm
- Tuff 40 cm (1500 kg/mc)
8,5 9,5 7,5 9
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm
- Mixed masonry 60 cm (1600 kg/mc)
9 10 8,5 9,5
- Internal gypsum and lime plaster 1,5 cm
Correction of heat bridges
Just 3 more cm of Diathonite® Evolution applied to the heat bridges (concrete 25 cm separators and
pillars) are enough to carry out a correction able to meet the parameters required by the Thermal
Standard.

Technical solution
To correct a heat bridge made up of con-
crete pillars and to comply with Thermal
Standard 311, the thickness of the thermal
insulator needs to be increased. The solu-
tion devised by Diasen® with Diathonite®
Evolution consists in providing for a groove
between pillar and curtain element (mini-
mum 3 cm) in the designing stage.
This allows to achieve the 7 cm insulation needed for thermal correction in pillars and
separators, thus preventing any difficult-to-solve building problems in operating condi-
tions.
Several coats of Diathonite®Evolution can be applied until a thickness higher than 10 cm
is achieved.
To improve the pillar adhesion of Diathonite®Evolution we recommend using Aquabond,
a primer that is able to make the surface rough and solve the problems created by rele-
ase agents, consequently ensuring good plaster adherence.

Time lag
According to the Thermal Standard, external walls are required to have a minimum surface mass of
230 Kg/m2.
The aim is to improve the masonry’s insulation from the heat, thus reducing the costs of climate con-
trol in summer.
Single-block 30 cm masonry with 4 cm of Diathonite® outside achieves a time lag amounting to
12 hours and 5 minutes. This gives the wall enough time to release the heat during the night.
16°C

What is the time lag?

The time lag is the unit of time included between the outside-face
temperature peak and the inside-face temperature peak in masonry
as measured in a 24-hour period.
The time lag should exceed approximately 9 hours, i.e. the daily solar
radiation time in summer. A higher time avoids the wall to get overhe-
ated during the day and allows it to get colder during the night, letting
the whole cycle start again the next morning.

0h 4h 8h 12h 16h 20h 24h

Outside surface temperature

Outside air temperature
Inside surface temperature

Mass Thickness
Insulation layer in Diathonite Evolution Kg/m2 Time lag
(Kg/m3) (cm)
Plaster or mortar or cement and sand 1400 1,50
Thermal brick 700 30,00 250 12h 05'
Diathonite Evolution 360 4,00
Thermohygrometry
Thermal Standard 311 does not allow any surface condensation and sets a maximum interstitial con-
densation value below which humidity is considered as disposable by the structure (500 gr/m2).

Hygrometric lung
Diathonite® Evolution is a “hygrometric lung”, being a highly transpiring and air-permeable material (m = 5) able to absorb and release
water vapour (0,35 kg per m2 in half an hour) with positive results on the building microclimate (hygroscopicity).
Such characteristics are due to the hollowness of the material and allow to positively affect the healthiness of the environment as well
as the microclimate inside the house.

The thermohygrometric analysis of an external wall insulated with Diathonite does not produce
any condensation and consequently complies with the provisions of the Thermal Standard, ensu-
ring excellent comfort in the house and very good air quality inside the building.

Inv. Uri 60% Inv. Ure 85,4%

Est. Uri 60%

18,97
INT.
Est. Ure 68,4%
EST.
µ=5
2195 2,06

1404
Analysis of thermal masonry 30 cm
with Diathonite Evolution 4 cm

THE STRUCTURE DOES NOT

709
PRODUCE ANY CONDENSATION
590 Thermohygrometric analysis according to Standard
UNI13788, Milan data, January

Dehumidification + Thermal Insulation

Diathonite® Evolution is not only an excellent thermal
insulator but also a natural dehumidifier able to solve any
problems with saltpetre and humidity capillary rise once and
for all.
Diathonite® Evolution is the only product able to perform
dehumidifying and thermal tasks at the same time, thus
making it possible to meet the insulation parameters spe-
cified by Standard 311 even when existing buildings are to
be renovated.
Diathonite® Evolution’s strength consists in combining
thermal and dehumidifying capacities.
3
2
1. Scratch coat with concrete additive
2. WATstop for saline environments
1
3. Diathonite®
Diathonite® Premix
sound-absorbing, soundproofing, dehumidifying

Soundproofing
The high sound-absorbing capacity and the remarkable mass (compared to the mass of an ordinary
soundproofing panel) make Diathonite® Premix ideal to build single-block division walls between
separate housing units, ensuring an alternative solution (certified in operating conditions) that is
much easier than a cavity wall.
Diathonite
Soundproofing of partition walls
between separate housing units:
Results of the sound tests performed by a qualified sound engineer Masonry block
in operating conditions*
Materials Thickness Soundproofing capacity
Diathonite® cm 2
Masonry** cm 25 R'w = 51 dB
Diathonite® cm 2 Diathonite

Solutions compliant with Italian law 447/95 and DPCM 5.12.97 specify the following values for residential buildings:
R'w ≥ 50 dB in partition wall and D2m,nT,w ≥ 40 dB in façade. In order to have further technical specifications or
our certificates, please contact DiaSen®’s Technical Office.
* Vibration and Acoustic Engineering Office, Engineer Fabrizio Gamberini, expert in environmental acoustics
Law 447/95 Province of Bologna, Italy
Thermal brick 25 cm
** Masonry with weight 900 Kg/m3

Thermal insulation and soundproofing of façade*

Plaster
Materials Thickness Soundproofing capacity
Diathonite® cm 3
Rw = 59 dB
Thermal brick cm 25
D2m,nT,w* = 46 dB
Inside plaster cm 1,5 Diathonite

* = Certificate in operating conditions by Microbel S.r.L. (Turin, Italy)

Rw: soundproofing capacity of the wall according to Standards ISO 140/3 and ISO 717/1

Sound-absorbing
The multitude of pits and hollow spaces gives Diathonite® Premix a Coefficient of
Frequency (Hz)
sound-absorption coefficient that is twice the coefficient of an ordi- sound absorption (α)
100 0,19
nary plaster. It is able to effectively absorb sound waves, preventing 125 0,16
any reverberation problems and improving the sound characteristics 160 0,08
200 0,33
of the buildings. 250 0,28
315 0,43
400 0,51
Sound-absorption certificate No. UR 990904 doc. 500 0,63
dated 10.09.99 - measurement of reverberation 630 0,75
times in reverberating chamber according to
Standard ISO 354 (1985) carried out at the Elica 800 0,76
Spa (Fabriano, Italy) laboratory. 1000 0,74
1250 0,75
1600 0,69
2000 0,66
2500 0,66
3150 0,68
4000 0,71
The table on the left shows the absorption as
related to different sound frequencies. 5000 0,66
 DIASEN Srl
Zona Ind. Berbentina, 5
60041 Sassoferrato (AN)
Tel. +39 0732 9718
Fax +39 0732 971899
www.diasen.com
diasen@diasen.com