Perlite: Industrial applications

Industrial uses for perlite are widely varied. Here is a brief survey:

Light Aggregates:

In order to reduce its weight or to increase its insulation capacity and fire resistance, perlite is often used as an aggregate in concrete, Portland cement, asphalt or gypsum plaster.

Fillers:

Easy to handle, perlite is a first grade filling material in partitions, doors, panels and masonry walls. On a much different scale, it is also used in plastics and in oil, water or geothermal wells.

Soundproofing & Fireproofing Agent:

Lightweight and porous are the two qualities that make perlite a very popular material to soundproof and fireproof. Easy to handle, it is used to soundproof walls, doors and partition panels as well as in the manufacture of acoustic tiles.

Insulation:

In this regard, perlite can serve equally well as insulation for pipes, under-floors and even in the making of insulation boards for roofs.

Refractory Agent:

Perlite’s high heat resistance property makes it ideal for use as a refractory agent in the making of bricks or tiles. In addition, because of this characteristic, it can also be found mixed in Portland cement or gypsum plaster for protection against fire for beams and columns. Finally, as a refractory agent, perlite is used for various similar applications, ranging from cryogenics to chimney linings.

Filtration:

The pharmaceutical, chemical and food (beer, juice and hydrogenised vegetable oil, for example) industries have been using perlite for a long while as a filtration agent. However, it can also be used for filtration systems processing larger volumes, such as public swimming pools or municipal water purification plants.

Abrasive Agent:

In standard industrial applications, perlite is also added as an abrasive agent to numerous products, such as soaps, detergents or polishes.

Adsorbent Agent:

Perlite’s numerous pores make it very useful as an adsorbent agent, particularly in litters.

Other Uses:

Perlite has several other applications: as hydrophobic agent, to give texture to paint, and, of course, in horticulture.