www.perlite.

net Page 1 of 4

www.perlite.org
- The Perlite Institute Web Site

minerals.usgs.gov Today is Sunday, March 9, 2008

- USGS Minerals Information
on Perlite

www.perlite.net/redco Welcome to the home page of www.perlite.net! Here you will find
- Redco II's web site -
Perlite on the West Coast
information about what perlite is and its many and varied applications.
Additionally, you can find links to other perlite resources on the Internet on
www.perlite.net/apc the left. www.perlite.net is owned by Redco II , a leader in the perlite
- American Perlite's web site - industry based in North Hollywood, California. Redco is part of a vertically
Perlite ore
integrated group of companies. This includes American Perlite Company
which mines crude perlite ore from its source in the Sierra Nevada
www.schundler.com
- The Schundler Company's Mountains. You can find out more information about perlite by clicking on
web site - the respective links of the various perlite resources listed at the left of this
Perlite on the East Coast
page.
www.whittemoreco.com
- Whittemore Company's These
web site - web
Perlite on the East Coast
pages
are
www.perlite.com
- Supreme Perlite Company's living
web site - documents,
Perlite in the Northwest
subject
to
www.silbrico.com
- Silbrico's Web site - change
Perlite in the Mid West over
time.
www.incon-corp.com Please
- Incon Corporation's web site -
Perlite furnace systems and info
check
back
www.otavi.de often!
- Otavi Minen AG -
Perlite in Europe

You can e-mail us with questions at info@perlite.net

www.perlite.de
- Deutsche Perlite GmbH -
Perlite in Germany and Europe

www.perlite.dk
- Nordisk Perlite -
Perlite in Norway and Europe
Basic facts about perlite
www.europerl.com Perlite is not a trade name but a generic term for naturally occurring
- Stauss Perlite and Europerl - siliceous rock. The distinguishing feature which sets perlite apart from other
Perlite in Austria
volcanic glasses is that when heated to a suitable point in its softening
www.pertas.net
range, it expands from four to twenty times its original volume.
- Per&Tas Metal and Perlite Inc. -
Perlite in Turkey This expansion is due to the presence of two to six percent combined water

http://www.perlite.net/ 3/9/2008
www.perlite.net Page 2 of 4

www.pullrhenen.nl
- Pull b.v. - -
Perlite in The Netherlands and
Europe
www.usasia-pacific.com
- US Asia-Pacific Minerals -
Perlite in the Pacific Rim and Asia
in the crude perlite rock. When quickly heated to above 1600°F (871°C), the
crude rock pops in a manner similar to popcorn as the combined water
vaporizes and creates countless tiny bubbles which account for the amazing
light weight and other exceptional physical properties of expanded perlite.
This expansion process also
creates one of perlite's most
distinguishing
characteristics: its white
color. While the crude rock
may range from transparent
light gray to glossy black,
the color of expanded perlite
ranges from snowy white to
grayish white.

Expanded perlite can be manufactured to weigh as little as 2 pounds per

cubic foot making it adaptable for numerous applications.

Since perlite is a form of natural glass, it is classified as chemically inert and

has a pH of approximately 7.

Perlite is mined and expanded all over the world. The United States is
estimated to be the largest consumer and producer of crude and expanded
perlite. However, there is very strong world wide production and
consumption of perlite. Other leading countries producing perlite include
China, Greece, Japan, Hungary, Armenia, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, and
Turkey.

Typical Elemental Analysis Typical Physical Properties

Silicon 33.8 Color White
Aluminum 7.2 Refractive
1.5
Potassium 3.5 Index
Sodium 3.4 Free Moisture,
0.5%
Maximum
Iron 0.6
pH (of water
Calcium 0.6 6.5 - 8.0
slurry)
Magnesium 0.2 Specific
2.2 - 2.4
Trace 0.2 Gravity
Oxygen (by As desired but
47.5
difference) usually in the
Bulk Density
Net Total 97.0 2-25 lb/ft3
(loose weight)
range (32-400
Bound Water 3.0
kg/m3)
Total 100.0
As desired, 4-
Mesh Size
* All analyses are shown in 8 mesh and
Available
elemental form even though finer

http://www.perlite.net/ 3/9/2008
www.perlite.net Page 3 of 4

the actual forms present are Softening 1600-2000°F

mixed glassy silicates. Free Point (871-1093°C)
silica may be present in small 2300-2450°F
amounts, characteristic of the Fusion Point (1260-1343°
particular ore body. More C)
specific information may be
obtained from the ore supplier 0.2 Btu/lb·°F
Specific Heat
involved. (387 J/kg·K)
.27-.41
Thermal
Conductivity Btu·in/h·ft2·°F
at 75°F (24°C) (.04-.06
W/m·K)
Solubility .......Soluble in hot
concentrated alkali and HF
Moderately soluble (<10%) in
1N NaOH
Slightly soluble (<3%) in
mineral acids (1N)
Very slightly soluble (<1%) in
water or weak acids

Uses for Perlite...

There are many uses for perlite. These uses can be broken down into three
general categories: construction applications, horticultural applications, and
industrial applications.

Construction Applications

Because of perlite's outstanding Conversion Table

insulating characteristics and
light weight, it is widely used as a U.S.
Inches Microns MM
loose-fill insulation in masonry Mesh
construction. In this application, 3 .265 6730 6.73
free-flowing perlite loose-fill 4 .187 4760 4.76
masonry insulation is poured into
the cavities of concrete block 5 .157 4000 4.00
where it completely fills all cores, 6 .132 3360 3.36
crevices, mortar areas and ear 7 .111 2830 2.83
holes. In addition to providing
thermal insulation, perlite 8 .0937 2380 2.38
enhances fire ratings, reduces 10 .0787 2000 2.00
noise transmission and it is rot, 12 .0661 1680 1.68
vermin and termite resistant.
Perlite is also ideal for insulating 14 .0555 1410 1.41
low temperature and cryogenic 16 .0469 1190 1.19
vessels. When perlite is used as 18 .0394 1000 1.00
an aggregate in concrete, a
lightweight, fire resistant, 20 .0331 841 .841

http://www.perlite.net/ 3/9/2008
www.perlite.net Page 4 of 4

insulating concrete is produced 25 .0280 707 .707

that is ideal for roof decks and
other applications. Perlite can 30 .0232 595 .595
also be used as an aggregate in 35 .0197 500 .500
Portland cement and gypsum 40 .0165 420 .420
plasters for exterior applications
and for the fire protection of 45 .0138 354 .354
beams and columns. Other 50 .0117 297 .297
construction applications include 60 .0098 250 .250
under-floor insulation, chimney
linings, paint texturing, gypsum 70 .0083 210 .210
boards, ceiling tiles, and roof 80 .0070 177 .177
insulation boards. 100 .0059 149 .149
120 .0049 125 .125
Horticultural Applications
140 .0041 105 .105
In horticultural applications, 170 .0035 88 .088
perlite is used throughout the 200 .0029 74 .074
world as a component of soilless
growing mixes where it provides 230 .0024 63 .062
aeration and optimum moisture 270 .0021 53 .053
retention for superior plant 325 .0017 44 .044
growth. For rooting cuttings,
100% perlite is used. Studies 400 .0015 37 .037
have shown that outstanding 550 .0009 25 .025
yields are achieved with perlite
hydroponic systems. Other benefits of horticultural perlite are its neutral pH
and the fact that it is sterile and weed-free. In addition, its light weight makes
it ideal for use in container growing. Other horticultural applications for
perlite are as a carrier for fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides and for
pelletizing seed. Horticultural perlite is as useful to the home gardener as it
is to the commercial grower. It is used with equal success in greenhouse
growing, landscaping applications and in the home in house plants.

Industrial Applications

Industrial applications for perlite are the most diverse, ranging from high
performance fillers for plastics to cements for petroleum, water and
geothermal wells. Other applications include its use as a filter media for
pharmaceuticals, food products, chemicals and water for municipal systems
and swimming pools.

Additional applications include its use as an abrasive in soaps, cleaners,

and polishes; and a variety of foundry applications utilizing perlite's
insulating properties and high heat resistance. This same heat resistant
property is taken advantage of when perlite is used in the manufacture of
refractory bricks, mortars, and pipe insulation.

http://www.perlite.net/ 3/9/2008