Perlite

Perlite is the generic name for naturally occurring siliceous volcanic rock. AUSPERL is pleased to offer various grades of perlite ore from which expanded perlite products are produced.

We operate our own quarry, in the central North Island of New Zealand as well as importing perlite ore for specific applications from Turkey, Greece and the USA. The expansion process is caused by the presence of water in the crude rock. When perlite ore is rapidly heated to above 850°c this water vaporises and causes the softened rock to expand. Tiny glass-like bubbles are produced which account for the light weight and exceptional physical properties of expanded perlite.

Technical Data:

Perlite Ore

Typical Chemical Analysis		Typical Physical Properties
Amorphous Silica	74.0%	Specific Gravity (g/ml)	2–2.1 g/ml
Aluminum Oxide	14.0%	Colour	Light Brown
Ferric Oxide	1.0%	Fusion Point	1260–1340°C
Calcium Oxide	1.3%	Softening Point	871–1093°C
Magnesium Oxide	0.3%	Test Methods
Sodium Oxide	3.0%	1	Chemical by XRF
Potassium Oxide	4.0%	2	Moisture by drying as per PI 118-77
Titanium Oxide	0.1%	3	LOI – muffle furnace at 1100°C / 1.5 hrs
Heavy metals	Trace	4	Spec gravity by water immersion
Sulphate	Trace	5	PSD by dry sieve on BS410 sieves
Moisture	0.5%	6	Loose bulk density by DIN 53194
Loss in Ignition	3.2%
pH (water extract)	6.5 – 8.0

Expanded Perlite

Typical Chemical Analysis		Typical Physical Properties
Amorphous Silica	74.0%	Specific Gravity (g/ml)	0.055–0.30 g/ml
Aluminum Oxide	14.0%	Colour	Off white
Ferric Oxide	1.0%	Fusion Point	1260–1340°C
Calcium Oxide	1.3%	Softening Point	871–1093°C
Magnesium Oxide	0.3%	Test Methods
Sodium Oxide	3.0%	1	Chemical by XRF
Potassium Oxide	4.0%	2	Moisture by drying 110°C for 1.5 hrs
Titanium Oxide	0.1%	3	Org. Content – weight of matter soluble in carbon tetrachloride
Heavy metals	Trace	4	Spec gravity by water immersion
Sulphate	Trace	5	PSD by dry sieve on BS410 sieves
Moisture	0.3%	6	Loose bulk density by DIN 53194
Organic Content	<0.1%	7	T. Conductivity per ASTM C518-98
Thermal Conductivity	0.0361 @ 0°C	8	Compacted density as per PI 201-77

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