Perlite
What is Perlite?
Perlite is considered to be one of nature’s most efficient and versatile minerals. It is a type of glassy volcanic rock form that is made up of a unique chemical composition and crystalline water content. It is when perlite ore grains are abruptly exposed to immediate heat near to the sufficient temperature of their softening point (of 850° C) that the combined water rapidly vaporizes causing them to expand between 2-30 times their original volume.
This expansion process produces countless air voids within the grains, accounting for its lightweight, insulating and fireproof properties.
Uses of Perlite
Foundary
- Slag coagulant - Unexpanded Perlite
Construction
- Lightweight construction
- Heat insulation - Cryogenics
- Fire proofing
- Absoprtion of sound
Food - Used for filtering materials for production of
- Soft drinks
- Cooking oil
Pharmaceutical - Filteration of
- Antibiotics
Agriculture
- Treatement amelioration of soil
- Control of liquid dung manure
- Pesticides
Environmental protection
- Gathering oil spills from the surface of water
- Filtration of water in pools
Cosmetics
- Toothpaste
- Deodrants
While it is obvious that Perlite offers a variety of uses for multiple purposes and sectors yet there are many more being discovered everyday.