About Perlite
Perlite can be described as a glassy, volcanic rock having a pearl-like luster and usually exhibiting numerous concentric cracks resembling an onionskin in appearance. Chemically, it is essentially a metastable amorphous alumina silicate. Perlite has the unusual characteristic of expanding to about 20 times its original volume upon heating within its softening temperature range. Owing to its low density with attendant properties of low thermal conductivity and high sound absorption, expanded perlite is used in a variety of industrial and construction applications. When particles of perlite are heated to a soft consistency, its 2% to 6% combined water vaporized, forming steam that expand each particle into a mass of glass foam. The original volume of the crude perlite may be expanded 4 to 20 times at temperature between 1,400 and 2,000 F. Expanded perlite can be manufactured to weigh as little as 2 pounds per cubic foot (32 kg/m3) making it adaptable for numerous applications.
Perlite can be described as a glassy, volcanic rock having a pearl-like luster and usually exhibiting numerous concentric cracks resembling an onionskin in appearance. Chemically, it is essentially a metastable amorphous alumina silicate. Perlite has the unusual characteristic of expanding to about 20 times its original volume upon heating within its softening temperature range. Owing to its low density with attendant properties of low thermal conductivity and high sound absorption, expanded perlite is used in a variety of industrial and construction applications. When particles of perlite are heated to a soft consistency, its 2% to 6% combined water vaporized, forming steam that expand each particle into a mass of glass foam. The original volume of the crude perlite may be expanded 4 to 20 times at temperature between 1,400 and 2,000 F. Expanded perlite can be manufactured to weigh as little as 2 pounds per cubic foot (32 kg/m3) making it adaptable for numerous applications.
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