AAC block is an autoclaved aerated concrete masonry unit made from sand, cement, lime and a small amount of aluminum powder, cured under high-pressure steam. It weighs roughly a third to a quarter of fired clay brick or standard concrete block, insulates against heat and sound, and resists fire for more than 4 hours — properties that matter directly for Cambodia’s fast-growing, hot-climate construction market.
Cambodia’s Construction Boom and the Case for Lightweight Block
Phnom Penh and Cambodia’s secondary cities have seen a sustained wave of condominium, hotel and commercial construction over the past decade, alongside continued demand for factories and warehouses in industrial zones. That pace puts pressure on project timelines and on structural loads, particularly for mid-rise and high-rise buildings where every kilogram of wall weight adds cost to the frame and foundation below it.
Lightweight concrete block is one of the more direct ways contractors address both problems at once: a lighter wall material reduces dead load on the structure, and larger-format units close up wall area faster than small-format clay brick or standard concrete block laid one at a time.
What Is AAC Block?
AAC (autoclaved aerated concrete) block is manufactured by mixing sand, cement, lime, gypsum and aluminum powder into a slurry, which is poured into molds. The aluminum powder reacts with the lime to release hydrogen gas, creating millions of fine air bubbles throughout the mixture. Once the material has set enough to hold its shape, it is cut to size and cured in a high-pressure steam autoclave, which gives the finished block its strength and stability.
The result is a porous, uniform block that is far lighter than fired clay brick or conventional concrete block, while still functioning as a load-bearing or non-load-bearing masonry unit depending on the grade specified.
Grades, Sizes and Compressive Strength
AAC block is manufactured to standard dimensions of 600 × 200 mm, with thickness options including 75, 100, 150 and 200 mm (custom thicknesses available on request). Grade selection depends on whether the wall is load-bearing, non-load-bearing, or acoustically sensitive.
| Grade | Min. compressive strength | Dry density | Sound insulation (STC) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B3 | 3.5 MPa | 451–550 kg/m³ | 38 dB | Non-load-bearing partition walls |
| B4 | 5.0 MPa | 551–650 kg/m³ | — | General masonry, mid-density applications |
| B6 | 7.5 MPa | 651–750 kg/m³ | 48 dB | Higher-load and acoustic-sensitive walls |
For comparison, fired clay brick typically runs 1,500–1,800 kg/m³ and standard cement-based block 1,800–2,000 kg/m³ — roughly three to four times the density of AAC block at the same wall thickness. That difference is what drives the lower dead-load and faster-handling claims made for AAC on site.
Why AAC Suits Cambodia’s Hot, Humid Climate
AAC block has a reported thermal conductivity of 0.11–0.16 W/m·K, low enough that the air-bubble structure of the material provides meaningful insulation on its own, without a separate insulation layer. In Cambodia’s tropical climate, where interior cooling load is a year-round cost rather than a seasonal one, a wall material that slows heat transfer through the envelope is a relevant specification point for project engineers comparing wall systems, not just an efficiency footnote.
The same porous structure also gives AAC block sound-dampening properties, which matters for hotel, hospital, school and multi-unit residential projects where party-wall acoustic performance is part of the brief.
Fire Safety for High-Rise and Industrial Projects
AAC block is manufactured from inorganic materials and carries a reported fire resistance of more than 4 hours. That rating is relevant for high-rise residential towers, hotels, hospitals and warehouse or factory construction, where fire-rated partition and separating walls are typically a code requirement rather than an optional upgrade. Confirm the specific fire-rating test method and result against your project’s local building code before finalizing a specification — requirements and accepted test standards vary by jurisdiction.
Standards: TCVN 7959:2017 and International References
AAC block sourced from Vietnamese manufacturers is typically produced to TCVN 7959:2017, Vietnam’s national standard for autoclaved aerated concrete, with properties comparable to international references such as ASTM C1693 and EN 771-4. Cambodia does not yet have its own dedicated national AAC standard, so specifiers generally reference these international standards, or the exporting country’s standard, when writing AAC into a project specification. Have your project engineer confirm which reference standard your specific project requires before placing an order, and request the supplier’s technical data sheet (TDS) to check it against that requirement.
Sourcing AAC Block for Cambodia: Domestic Production vs. Importing from Vietnam
Cambodia has domestic AAC production capacity, concentrated mainly around Phnom Penh, alongside a growing number of buyers looking at cross-border sourcing options as construction activity spreads to secondary cities and industrial zones. For a project team comparing sources, the practical questions are usually the same regardless of origin: can the grade and thickness match your specification, is the packaging suited to the transport method (overland via border crossings such as Bavet/Moc Bai, or by sea through a Cambodian port), and can the supplier provide a technical data sheet and consistent lead times.
Vietnamese AAC exporters typically price on an FOB Ho Chi Minh City basis. To get a comparable quote from a Vietnamese supplier, be ready to provide the grade and thickness needed, total volume in m³, and your delivery point in Cambodia — pricing depends on all three, along with current freight rates, so ask for a current quotation rather than relying on a published price list.
AAC Wall System Components
AAC block is normally installed as part of a matched system rather than laid with standard masonry mortar. A typical system includes the block itself, a thin-bed mortar formulated for AAC block-to-block joints, a flexible mortar for movement-sensitive joints, and a skimcoat finishing mortar for the wall surface. Installing AAC with a generic cement mortar not formulated for its density and joint thickness increases the risk of adhesion or shrinkage cracking, so confirm your supplier can provide the matched mortar system alongside the block.
FAQ
What sizes does AAC block come in?
Standard AAC block is 600 × 200 mm, with thickness options of 75, 100, 150 and 200 mm. Custom thicknesses can be produced on request — confirm minimum order quantities for non-standard sizes with your supplier.
How much lighter is AAC block than standard concrete block?
AAC block has a dry density of 451–750 kg/m³ depending on grade, compared with roughly 1,800–2,000 kg/m³ for standard cement-based block — about a third to a quarter of the weight at equivalent wall thickness.
Can AAC block be sourced from Vietnam for a project in Cambodia?
Yes. Vietnamese AAC exporters routinely quote FOB Ho Chi Minh City for regional buyers. Confirm grade, thickness, total volume and your Cambodian delivery point to get an accurate quotation, and request the technical data sheet to check compliance with your project’s specified standard.
What mortar should be used to install AAC block?
AAC block should be installed with a thin-bed mortar formulated for AAC joints, not standard cement mortar. Ask your supplier whether they also provide a matched flexible mortar and skimcoat finishing mortar for a complete wall system.
Downloads
The following documents support specification and procurement review:
- Technical Data Sheet (PDF) — [to be provided on request]
- AAC wall system installation guide (PDF) — [to be provided on request]
- Packing and container/loading data for cross-border shipment — [to be provided on request]
Get AAC Block Specifications and Pricing
Contact Anh Nhien Xanh for pricing and product specifications:
- Email: info@aac-block.com
- WhatsApp: +84 888 69 4499
- Website: aac-block.com
- Address: 330/72/31 Le Duc Anh, Binh Tan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam