The excellent insulating properties and loose-flow nature of perlite find wide application in the extreme-heat conditions of steel mills and foundries. What is Perlite? Perlite is not a trade name, but a generic term for naturally occurring siliceous volcanic rock. The distinguishing feature which sets perlite apart from other volcanic glasses is that when heated to a suitable point in …
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 …
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 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 …