Perlite is a volcanic mineral that, after heat treatment, resembles polystyrene beads in appearance, pumice in structure, and is chemically similar to glass.
Perlite ore is extracted from deposits using open-pit mining methods. After extraction, the rock is crushed and milled into sand. Then, while still at the mine, the milled ore is graded into different fractions. This is an important process because the specific fraction size determines what type of expanded perlite will be obtained in further processing.
Next, the perlite sand is delivered to expansion plants. There, it undergoes thermal processing, which causes it to expand in volume. Perlite expands at temperatures exceeding 900°C. At this point, chemically bound water molecules—a characteristic feature of this mineral—are released. The escaping water causes the material to expand.
As a result of this process, perlite increases its volume up to twentyfold. Consequently, its density and bulk density also decrease twentyfold, yielding a lightweight and porous aggregate.
In the perlite expansion production line, the most critical element is the furnace, where the main physicochemical processes take place. The material remains in it for only a few seconds. After expansion, the perlite grains move to a cooler, where they are cooled down to approximately 200°C, and then into the finished product silo. The line is also equipped with a system of cyclones and filters that capture the dust generated during the manufacturing process.
Perlite is then loaded into road tankers or packed into big-bags and standard bags.
| GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND BULK DENSITY | |||||
| Perlite Grade | EP 200 (Agro) 0-6mm (Class III) |
EP 180 (Class II) |
EP 150 (Class I) |
EP 100F (Class 0) |
Hydroperl |
| Grain Size | % | % | % | % | % |
| 1.25 mm | min 80 | min 60 | max 20 | max 5 | min 60 |
| 0.50 mm | 0-100 | 0-100 | 15-60 | 5-80 | 0-100 |
| 0.25 mm | max 10 | max 10 | min 60 | min 60 | max 10 |
| Bulk Density | 110-150 kg/m3 | 70-110 kg/m3 | 40-90 kg/m3 | 50-120 kg/m3 | 70-110 kg/m3 |
| Moisture Content | max 2% | ||||
| PHYSICAL PROPERTIES | |
| Form | Solid state in the form of granules with a grain size of 0-6 mm, white-grey color |
| Odor | Odorless |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Flammability | Non-flammable, class A1 |
| Bulk Density | 50-200 kg/m3 |
| Melting Point / Range | Above 900oC |
| Auto-ignition Temperature | Not applicable |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.045-0.059 W/m x K |
| Water Absorption | 3.0-200% |
| Compressive Strength | 0.14-0.40 MPa |
| Chemical Resistance | Similar to glass |
| Acoustic Absorption | 10-92% |
| Specific Heat | 0.96-0.92 kJ/kgoC |
| Water Vapor Diffusion Coefficient | 0.035-0.027 g/m h mm Hg |
| CHEMICAL COMPOSITION | |
| Chemical Compound |
Percentage Share % |
| SiO2 | 65-73% |
| Al2O3 | 10-18% |
| K2O + Na2O | 6-9% |
| CaO | 2-6% |
| Fe | 1-2% |
APPLICATIONS (click on an application of interest)
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Expanded perlite produced by PERLIPO
L holds the PZH (National Institute of Public Health) certificate.
