Vermiculite – Construction
AUSPERL vermiculite has a number of construction applications including:
Silicate Bonded Shapes and Blocks
Pressed vermiculite block insulation can be used in high temperature kilns, furnaces, combustion plants, boilers, wood burning stoves and night storage heaters. It is becoming more widely accepted as an alternative for asbestos or man-made mineral fibre insulation. The units can vary from simple blocks to very intricate shapes designed to accommodate electrical elements, fixing screws, etc.
Light weight Concretes
Vermiculite concretes are light weight , have good insulating properties and are intrinsically fire resistant. Vermiculite concretes may be used for in situ roof and floor screeds and in the fabrication of pre-cast products. Vermiculite concretes can also be used around back boilers and as a fire back support material.
Loose Fill Insulation
Loose fill vermiculite can be used between joists in lofts for home insulation. The free flowing properties of exfoliated vermiculite make installation very simple. The insulating properties of vermiculite significantly reduce the loss of heat in cold weather and keep the interior cool in hot weather. It also functions as a sound absorbent material.
Other novel insulation uses include incubation of reptile eggs.
Vermiculite Plasters
Vermiculite plasters can be made with either gypsum or Portland cement. The advantage which all types of vermiculite plasters give over conventional are:
- improved coverage;
- lighter weight;
- improved workability;
- excellent fire resistance;
- reduced thermal conductivity;
- improved adhesion to a wide range of backgrounds;
- increased resistance to cracking and shrinkage.
- Vermiculite also improves the spall resistance of plasters due to the ability of vermiculite particles to accommodate dimensional change.
Vermiculite plasters, whether gypsum or cement based, can be applied by hand or by spraying machine. Being a non-abrasive aggregate, vermiculiteis well suited to spray application and the sprayed plasters can have an attractive decorative appearance.
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