Growing Orchids in Perlite

by Dr. Wally Thomas and Barb Thomas, 1988 Narrative and Data Reprinted with Permission by the Perlite Institute, Inc. Outstanding success growing orchids using a hydroponic perlite reservoir technique. This article summarizes five years of outstanding success in growing orchids at Charles Island Gardens (West Vancouver, Canada) using the perlite reservoir technique with intermediate-size perlite. This method, by which all …

Perlite for Non-Evacuated Cryogenic and Low Temperature Service

The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes –including use in insulating cryogenic and low temperature storage tanks, in shipping containers, cold boxes, test chambers, and in food processing. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see info sheet: “Why Perlite Works” in the information library at www.perlite.org Storage temperatures of -150F (-l00C) and …

Perlite for Use in Well Cements

How perlite improves performance in well cementing applications. Well cementing is the process of introducing a cement mixture, consisting of Portland cement, additives, and water, to the annular space between the well bore and casing, or the space between two successive casing strings. This viscous slurry is forced out through the bottom of the drill casing and the space between …

The Water-Holding Capacity of Perlite

The natural size and unique structure of expanded perlite makes an ideal framework to hold water. Perlite holds water in one of three ways: in between individual grains, in channels leading to the cores of the grains and on the highly irregular surfaces of each particle (Fig. 1). The surface of perlite is made up of the outer convex shells …

Why Perlite Works

Genesis in Fire Rapidly heating perlite ore to temperatures of about 900°C (1,700°F) softens the volcanic glass causing entrapped water molecules in the rock to turn to steam and expand the particles like popcorn. The expanded particles that result are actually clusters of minute, lightweight, insulating, glass bubbles. Broken bubbles and surface openings on the particles provide for water and …

Perlite for Water Quality Management

The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes—including various applications in the broad category of water quality management. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion see information sheet: Why Perlite Works Storm Water Filtration Due to its high surface area, neutral pH and irregular, porous surface texture, expanded perlite is ideally suited for a variety …

Perlite Loose-Fill Masonry Insulation

Perlite, an inorganic material, is as permanent as the walls it insulates. The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes – including use as loose-fill masonry insulation. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see information sheet: “Why Perlite Works“ PROPERTIES & BENEFITS Insulation: Thermal performance tests have shown significant energy savings when perlite is …

Perlite as a Sludge Absorbent

When perlite ore is expanded by exposure to controlled heating, it grows up to 20 times its original volume and takes on a foam-like cellular internal structure – essentially clusters of microscopic glass bubbles. Fine grades of perlite are mostly broken portions of these clusters, exhibiting a very large surface area, lending themselves to the efficient absorption of liquids. For a …

Perlite in Lightweight Formed Products

Ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and fire-rated door cores are examples of products that attain lightweight bulk from expanded perlite. The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes­ including the use in lightweight formed products. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see information sheet: “Why Perlite Works” in the informa­tion library. Over half of …

Perlite: The Mineral for Healthy Plants

Expanded perlite provides space for both air and water within a soil mix. Natural soil is made up of four components: minerals, organic material, air, and water. When buying plants for your home or garden they should be grown in soil containing all of these elements. The unique characteristics of expanded perlite qualify it as one of the most desirable …

Perlite for Filtration

The physical character of expanded perlite is ideal for use as a filter aid separating small solid particles from liquids. Lightweight expanded perlite bubble structures are milled and classified using strictly defined processes to produce perlite filter aids with specific flow characteristics. The various grades utilize the jagged interlocking structures to create billions of microscopic channels between the filter aid …

Perlite as a Filler

The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes—including use as a filler material in milled flake form, aggregate bubble form, and individual microspheres. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see PDF information sheet: Why Perlite Works ADVANTAGES OF PERLITE AS A FILLER Weight reduction Shrink and/or crack resistance Low volume-based cost compared to binders and …

Overview of Perlite Concrete

Perlite Concrete Offers Many Advantages Beyond Its Light Weight. This product guide contains various mix designs for lightweight concrete, utilizing perlite as the primary aggregate, which may be used as stated or as a starting point for your own custom mixes. Perlite lightweight concrete is used in many different applications. These include lightweight tile mortar, statuary, decorative stone, gas-fireplace logs …

Perlite and Sustainability

Sustainability Fact Sheet The Perlite Institute defines sustainability as the process of making decisions and taking actions to create economic, environmental and social conditions that generate value for the largest number of people, today and for generations to come. These decisions and actions are based on continuous reviews of: Protection of Resources and the Environment Perlite products help protect land, …

Perlite Cement-based Lightweight Insulating Plasters

Perlite cement plaster is thermal and sound insulating, fire retardant, and extremely lightweight—weighing approximately 60% less than ordinary sand plaster. Perlite Cement-based Plaster Perlite cement-based plaster can be used on new or remodel work, as a basecoat for stucco finishes, and as a substrate for ceramic tile or masonry veneer. It can be applied over metal or wire lath, on …

Overview of Perlite Concrete (metrics)

Perlite Concrete Offers Many Advantages Beyond Its Light Weight. This product guide contains various mix designs for lightweight concrete, utilizing perlite as the primary aggregate, which may be used as stated or as a starting point for your own custom mixes. Perlite lightweight concrete is used in many different applications. These include lightweight tile mortar, statuary, decorative stone, gas-fireplace logs …

Roof Gardens that are Gentle on the Roof

Lightweight Solutions to Weighty Problems The current, eco-friendly trend of designing commercial buildings with rooftop gardens has put a premium on the use of expanded, volcanic perlite in making lightweight soils for these structures. Regular, wetted soil can tip the scales at well over 100 pounds a cubic foot – while a perlite/peat moss mixture will weigh a mere 40 …

Health Effects of Perlite

The perlite industry is conscious of its societal responsibility to test their products and to determine what, if any, health effects may be associated with them. The industry is committed to producing safe products. Background and Uses of Perlite Perlite has been mined, processed, and used safely for over fifty years. Grades of perlite from a vast variety of sources …