Supreme Perlite And Its Many Uses

When rapidly heated to temperatures of between about 850 and 900 degrees, the volcanic glass is softened which causes the water molecules which are trapped in the rock to become steam and expand, in a process similar to popping corn. These expanded particles of supreme perlite are actually minute clusters of lightweight glass bubbles which contain fantastic insulating properties. The broken bubbles and openings on the surface of the particles make them extremely useful for holding air and water, which makes them in turn fantastic in the horticultural industry, as they can both aerate and retain vital moisture for plants and seedlings.

The crushed and expanded particles also create a network of microscopic pathways which can be used to successfully filter and clean many different liquids, from beverages and pharmaceutical products to swimming pools and municipal systems. The sophisticated modern manufacturing techniques used allow the collection of these individual expanded supreme perlite bubbles which, due to their lightweight and fire resistant properties can be used in a wide array of products as fillers and insulators.

The extreme versatility of supreme perlite makes it useful in very many different applications. The crude ore can be used in sand blasting, foundry and steel industries, metal finishing and specialised casting, and the very many different grades of expanded perlite are used for many different purposes.

The fireproofing properties make it ideal for fire insulation in safes, doors, rooms and chimney linings, and the sound absorbency also go to make it useful in plasters, plaster boards, mortars, ceiling tiles, and sound absorbing walls on the highway. The abrasive qualities make it ideal for addition to abrasive soaps, cleaners and polishes and stonewash wheels. In filtration purposes it is widely used in the process of wines and beers, edible oils, fruit juices, sugars, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, swimming pool and potable water, and also bio diesel.

The extreme lightweight properties of supreme perlite make it invaluable as lightweight aggregate in concrete, bricks, tiles, pottery, tunnel walls and piping, floors, roofs and insulation and non load bearing fills. Horticulturally, it is invaluable and can be used alone for plant rooting, and also mixed in with peats and composts to add its aeration and moisture retaining properties. It is chemically inert, sterile with a neutral pH, and is completely weed free making it a gardener's best friend, both commercially and in home based products. Even house plants can be planted using this mixture.

Refrigerators and portable ice boxes utilize perlite, as well cavity wall insulation, roof decking and containers. Many wells incorporate the use of perlite, including mineral wells, oil wells and geothermal wells. When looking at a study of a typical house, perlite can be used in very many places and for many different uses, from the lining of the chimney to the insulation of the walls, the filtration of the kitchen coffee pot, the texture of the paint and the potting for the garden plants. There are not many other minerals which are quite as versatile as perlite.

If you are looking for a perlite manufacturer and or supplier visit http://NorcalPerLite.com

For more information http://NorcalPerLite.com will fit all your Perlite needs and we sell a Varity or different types of perlite.

Perlite Rock - Properties and Uses

Perlite rock is a naturally occurring volcanic glass, which contains a relatively high amount of water. Its formation is typically by the hydration of obsidian. Occurring naturally, it is quite unusual in that it greatly expands when it is heated sufficiently. This makes it extremely lightweight and it has very many commercial uses, being mined industrially all over the western region of North America, as well as in many other countries around the world. There is a lack of detailed information regarding the world perlite production, but it appears to be abundantly available and so hopefully will be for many decades in the future. It's properties were known for many years, but it was not until 1949 that an institute was founded and this unusual and unique rock was mined for its countless commercial value.

When perlite rock reaches a temperature of around 850 - 900 degrees C, it softens (because it is actually a glass). The water which is trapped within the structure of the rock vaporises and escapes, which causes the expansion up to 20 times its original volume. The process is similar to that of popping corn. The perlite rock is bright white after expansion, because of the reflectivity of the millions of bubbles trapped within it. This also contributes to its unique lightness. Whereas unexpanded perlite rock will have a bulk density of somewhere around 1100kg/m3, once expanded it will typically have a bulk density of 30 - 150 kg/m3.

Because of its low density and the relative cheapness of perlite rock there have been many commercial applications developed for its use. The construction and manufacturing industries use it extensively in lightweight mortars, plasters and insulation, as well as for ceiling tiles and a variety of filter aids.

The horticultural industry use perlite as a soil additive or it can actually be used alone for the propagation of cuttings. Its lightweight properties make it ideal for adding to other peat and composts where it helps to maintain moisture and provide aeration. It is weed free, sterile and has a neutral pH value making it invaluable in the horticultural industry, both commercial and in the home for private use. It is present in many potting compounds and composts in today's market.

The fire resistant properties of perlite rock make it extremely useful in foundries, and as a fire stop in mortar and ceramics. It is also in use within the explosive industry. Another growing usage of perlite is as a filter aid for swimming pools and municipal systems. It is ideal for this type of use as it is classified as chemically inert.

It is estimated that around 60% of the perlite produced in the USA is used in some form by the construction industry. Of the remaining 40%, around 14% is used for horticultural products, and the remainder is used as fillers, filter aids and other uses. The majority of perlite uses are for the expanded form, although there are occasions when the original or 'raw' perlite rock is used.

If you are looking for a perlite manufacturer and or supplier visit http://NorcalPerLite.com

For more information http://NorcalPerLite.com will fit all your Perlite needs and we sell a Varity or different types of perlite.