What is Perlite and its Applications?
Perlite is a type of volcanic vitreous rock that forms from the rapid cooling of acidic lava. It is a white, granular material with a honeycomb-like structure. Perlite ore includes perlite, obsidian, and pitchstone. The principle behind perlite production involves crushing perlite ore into a certain grain size, preheating it, and then rapidly heating it. The water in the ore vaporizes, expanding inside the softened, glassy ore to form a porous structure. This process results in a non-metallic mineral product that expands 10 to 30 times in volume.
Perlite is brittle and expands when heated but does not contract when cooled. It has a pearly and greasy luster, with unique curved cracks and is fire-resistant.
Perlite products are lightweight, have low thermal conductivity, are sound-absorbent, non-corrosive, non-combustible, acid and alkali-resistant, and are non-toxic and odorless. They are high-performance, lightweight materials used for insulation, heat insulation, soundproofing, and decoration.
In the construction industry, perlite is used as a concrete aggregate, in lightweight, insulating, and soundproof panels, and as a filler in fire-resistant roofing and high-rise building walls.
In the chemical industry, perlite is used as a filter aid and filler. It can be processed into molecular sieves, filters, and decontaminants. It is also used in food processing for filtering fine particles, algae, and bacteria in brewing, juice, beverages, syrup, sugar, and vinegar production. In addition, it serves as a filler in pigments, enamel, glazes, plastics, resins, and rubber, as a catalyst in chemical reactions, and as a component in oil well grouting mixtures.
In horticulture, perlite improves soil structure, prevents soil compaction, reduces crop lodging, controls fertilizer efficiency and dosage, and acts as a diluent and carrier for pesticides and herbicides. Perlite is a versatile and environmentally friendly material with a wide range of applications in various industries.