PERLITE: GENESIS IN FIRE

Directory of Applications for Perlite

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By nature of its mineral DNA and light, frothy nature, expanded perlite is widely useful as a component in many industrial and consumer products. Even pre-expansion, as crude ore—crushed to spec—perlite has application in industry. Below is a list of various uses and applications for expanded perlite linked to detailed information pages for each application.

As a Lightweight Aggregate

Perlite is used as an extremely lightweight aggregate for insulating concrete in roof decking, floors, decorative stone products, bricks and tiles, tilt-up panels, pottery, cast sculpture, and more. By following specific procedures, typical ready-mix batching equipment and trucks can be used for perlite concrete.

bullet Perlite Aggregate in Lightweight Ready-Mix Concrete

bullet Perlite in Manufactured Stone Products

bullet Insulating Roof Decks

bullet Well Cements

bullet Storage Tank and Pool Bases

As an Insulator

As a lightweight insulator, perlite is incredibly versatile, meeting a variety of insulating needs—from the super-cooling demands of cryogenics to ambient and low temperature applications up through intense high temperature demands such as foundry cores, molds and even as a crucible topping. Perlite is non-combustible, with fusion point of 1260 degrees C (2300F) and is an ideal loose-fill or spray-on fire-proof insulation for safes, safe rooms, doors, pizza ovens, and chimney linings.

bullet Cryogenic Applications

bullet Masonry Loose Fill Insulation

bullet Underground Insulation

bullet Heat-Resistant Applications

bullet Spray-Applied, Fire-Resistant Materials (SFRMs)

In Horticultural Applications

Perlite is widely used in horticultural applications because of its lightweight water-holding capacity, neutral pH, and pathogen-free nature. Perlite is found in the engineered lightweight soils of roof gardens and planters as well as commercial and bagged potting soils. Perlite is used a soilless grow media for hydroponics, seed starting and plant rooting. Perlite also makes an excellent conditioner for native garden, turf, and landscape soils, enhancing both the water-holding capacity and anti-compaction properties.

bullet Water-Holding Capacity

bullet Roof Garden and Other Engineered Soils

bullet Potting Soils

bullet Soilless Grow Media

bullet Native Soil Conditioner

For Plasters and Textured Coatings

Perlite’s acoustical, fire-proofing, and insulative properties as well as its lightweight form factor make it an ideal sand-replacing aggregate for interior and exterior plasters and stuccos. Perlite also works to bulk and pattern textured coatings and finishes.

bullet Lightweight Insulating Plaster

bullet Perlite in Textured Coatings

For Waste and Spill Management

Perlite is used in environmental applications to absorb oil and to soak up and stabilize chemical spills and other liquid pollutants. Perlite is also blended with soil to filter stormwater runoff from paved surfaces, mitigate rainwater surge and erosion, and solidify liquid waste and industrial sludge for legal transport.

bullet Liquid-Holding Capacity

bullet Liquid Waste Absorbent and Solidification

bullet Poultry Bedding and Fly Control

bullet Environmental Cleanup

As a Filtration Media

Beer, wine, juices, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oils, acids, sugars, bio-diesels, and water (potable, swimming pool, and storm runoff) are all filtered with perlite that has been expanded and crushed to form a complex maze of microscopic pathways that makes a highly-effective filter cake.

bullet Filter Aid for beverages, oils, extractive metallurgy, chemicals, and other purifying processes

bullet Culinary Water Treatment and Filtration

bullet Water Quality and Stormwater Control

As a Lightweight Filler

Perlite serves as a lightweight filler for caulking compounds, paints, plastics, and explosives. When added to soaps, cleansers, polishes, dental compounds and stone wash wheels, perlite adds gentle yet effective abrasive properties to the product. Perlite is also added to plasters, ceiling tiles and walls to enhance sound absorption in these materials.

bullet Perlite in Formed Products

bullet Coating Applications

bullet Cementitious Panels

bullet Lightweight Perlite Plasters

For Sandblasting and as a Slag Coagulant

In its crude ore state, perlite has industrial uses—chiefly in the foundry industry and as a sandblasting media.

bullet Sandblasting Grit

bullet Slag Coagulant