Perlite is rock right?!?
So it is 100% NON-absorbent, right?!?
Perlite is an
amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high
water content, typically formed by the hydration of
obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently. It is an
industrial mineral and a commercial product useful for its light weight after processing.
Properties
When it reaches temperatures of 850900 °C, perlite softens (since it is a glass). Water trapped in the structure of the material vapourises and escapes and this causes the expansion of the material to 716 times its original volume. The expanded material is a brilliant white, due to the reflectivity of the trapped bubbles.
Unexpanded ("raw") perlite
bulk density: around 1100 kg/m³ (1.1 g/cm³).
Typical expanded perlite bulk density: 30150 kg/m³
Uses
Due to its low density and relatively low price, many commercial applications for perlite have developed. In the
construction and manufacturing fields, it is used in lightweight
plasters and
mortars,
insulation, ceiling tiles and filter aids.
In
horticulture perlite can be used as a soil amendment or alone as a medium for
hydroponics or for starting
cuttings. When used as an amendment it helps prevent water loss and soil compaction.
Perlite is also used in
foundries,
cryogenic insulation, as a lightweight aggregate in
mortar (firestop) and in
ceramics as a clay additive. It is also used by the explosive industry.
[1]
Perlite is an excellent
filter aid. It is used extensively in Australia and New Zealand as an alternative to
diatomaceous earth. The popularity of
Perlite usage in this application is growing considerably worldwide.
In 2007, estimated U.S. usage applications are shown in the following table:
portion general usage
[2] 60% building construction products 14% horticultural aggregate 11% fillers 7.5% filter aid 7.5% other
[edit] Typical analysis of perlite
[edit] Production trends
Perlite output in 2005
In 2005, Greece was the top producer of perlite with at least one-third world share followed by China, USA, Japan and Turkey
[3].
The cost of perlite has varied since 2001.
[4]:
end of
year $ per
t 2001 36.3 2002 36.5 2003 38.2 2004 41.8 2005 40.5
[5] 2006 42.9 2007 51.6
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Emulsion explosive composition containing expanded perlite United States Patent 4940497
- ^ http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/perlite/mcs-2008-perli.pdf
- ^ Reported by the British Geological Survey
- ^ "Perlite". U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries,: 122123. January 2006. [1].
- ^ http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/perlite/mcs-2008-perli.pdf
[edit] External links
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Perlite
I would say it does absorb as far as liquids and what not. Did that answer your question?
