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| Perlite Applications There are many uses for perlite thanks to its fantastic quality and guaranteed results. It is used in more than 150 spheres of life; the main applications are in construction, horticulture, and industry. Because of the present energy crisis and water shortages, the preservation of the existing supplies is becoming more important, even vital, especially for Armenia. Today heat-insulators comprise 68% of the sales of perlite products. With the growing demand many companies import cheap and ecologically unsafe products such as foam plastic or mineral cotton. Construction Applications
Because of perlite's outstanding insulating characteristics and light weight, it is widely used in masonry construction. 60% of the perlite mined in the world is used in heat-insulating slabs. It is widely used to reduce weights and achieve better insulation and fire protection. The swelled perlite is poured between the two walls because its fluidity makes it able to penetrate every hole and provide full insulation, while the slabs can also be fixed on the surface of the walls from inside. Perlite is naturally incombustible and resistant to thermal transmission. The heat resistance of the slabs ranges from about –2730C to about +8000C. When exposed to heat under 1200-15000C degrees, it remains fire resistant for about 3 hours. The usage of heat-insulating slabs and materials reduces the mass of the buildings, and as a consequence increases their seismic stability, because the seismic powers increase with the augmentation of the buildings’ mass. Using lighter perlite materials means that, in turn, structural-building elements can be smaller, lighter and less expensive. Perlite also greatly reduces sound transmission from floor to floor, from floors to walls and from under-floor piping systems. Many large and well-known companies put their trust in perlite today because of its guaranteed result. Horticultural Applications
Studies have shown that outstanding yields are achieved with perlite uses in horticulture. It is used throughout the world as a component of soil-less growing mixes, where it provides aeration and optimum moisture retention for superior plant growth. Other advantages are that it is sterile and weed-free. Being a volcanic glass it does not rot and does not provide accommodation for parasites. In addition, its light weight makes it ideal for use in container growing. And so it is used with equal success in greenhouse growing, landscaping applications and in the home, for houseplants. The biggest advantage of using perlite in horticulture is the decrease in the need for water and the frequency of irrigation.. Perlite changes the soil structure and allows it to absorb water quickly while keeping moisture to a maximum during dry seasons. Industrial Applications
The industrial applications for perlite are the most diverse. Perlite is used in high performance filter media for food products, chemicals, and water for municipal systems and swimming pools. Used as a filler, extender and texturing agent in numerous products, it displaces expensive resins and reduces unit weights. Additionally, it is used as an abrasive in soaps, cleaners, and polishers, while its heat resistant property is taken advantage of in the manufacture of refractory bricks and mortars, and in pipe insulation. |
