Perlite is a volcanic glass with acidic character. The name perlite is derived from the word perle, meaning pearl, because when some types of perlite are broken, small pearl-like spheres are obtained. Perlite is a rock that has the property of expanding with heat and becomes very light and porous when expanded. The word perlite is used for both raw perlite and the product obtained by expanding it. Various perlite rocks may differ from each other in terms of color and structure. The color of raw perlite can vary from transparent light gray to shiny black. When it expands, the color becomes completely white. The most important feature of perlite is the water it contains as a compound of 2.5% in the hydrated glassy silica structure, and this water ensures the stability of perlite. When perlite is heated suddenly between 750-1200 °C, it expands under the influence of the steam released from its structure and turns into a foam aggregate consisting of glassy grains. It can expand up to 20 times its initial volume. This product is called expanded perlite. Perlite is essentially volcanic glass with a special texture, containing a certain amount of water in its internal structure, and acid composition. It does not have a fibrous structure. It does not contain nitrate sulfate, phosphorus, heavy metals, radioactive elements and organic matter. Therefore, it is chemically quite pure. Perlite ore is generally produced by blasting using the open-pit mining method. Then, following the crushing-grinding-classification processes, the expansion process is carried out. It is economical for the tuvenan ore to be crushed first in a place close to the quarry and brought to the required grain size, and since the expanded perlite is light but large in volume, the expansion process is carried out by establishing facilities close to the market areas. Important points in the preparation of perlite are as follows:
Separating perlite into nodules or obtaining cube-shaped grains,
Crushing only to the required grain size without over-fining or damaging the shell texture,
Separating according to desired grain size
Perlite is generally a rock that can be broken easily and ground well. However, since the grain distribution depends on the crushing impacts, the selection of crusher and grinder requires special attention.
The most important feature that gives commercial value to expanded perlite is; Its low density in small volume, physical flexibility, chemical stability, low sound permeability and fire resistance.
Construction Sector:
Shaped insulation materials (roof and floor insulation)
Perlite Plasters
Lightweight insulation concrete with perlite aggregate (Cement or plaster binder)
Lightweight building elements with perlite aggregate, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, etc.
As loose filling material (as insulation material in attics, floor and wall cavities; in foam form after being subjected to a special treatment with silicone)
In surface flooring (as heat and sound insulator)
Perlite concretes for special purposes made with binders other than cement and gypsum
Perlite is a volcanic glass with acidic character. The name perlite is derived from the word perle, meaning pearl, because when some types of perlite are broken, small pearl-like spheres are obtained. Perlite is a rock that has the property of expanding with heat and becomes very light and porous when expanded. The word perlite is used for both raw perlite and the product obtained by expanding it. Various perlite rocks may differ from each other in terms of color and structure. The color of raw perlite can vary from transparent light gray to shiny black. When it expands, the color becomes completely white. The most important feature of perlite is the water it contains as a compound of 2.5% in the hydrated glassy silica structure, and this water ensures the stability of perlite. When perlite is heated suddenly between 750-1200 °C, it expands under the influence of the steam released from its structure and turns into a foam aggregate consisting of glassy grains. It can expand up to 20 times its initial volume. This product is called expanded perlite. Perlite is essentially volcanic glass with a special texture, containing a certain amount of water in its internal structure, and acid composition. It does not have a fibrous structure. It does not contain nitrate sulfate, phosphorus, heavy metals, radioactive elements and organic matter. Therefore, it is chemically quite pure. Perlite ore is generally produced by blasting using the open-pit mining method. Then, following the crushing-grinding-classification processes, the expansion process is carried out. It is economical for the tuvenan ore to be crushed first in a place close to the quarry and brought to the required grain size, and since the expanded perlite is light but large in volume, the expansion process is carried out by establishing facilities close to the market areas. Important points in the preparation of perlite are as follows:
Separating perlite into nodules or obtaining cube-shaped grains,
Crushing only to the required grain size without over-fining or damaging the shell texture,
Separating according to desired grain size
Perlite is generally a rock that can be broken easily and ground well. However, since the grain distribution depends on the crushing impacts, the selection of crusher and grinder requires special attention.
The most important feature that gives commercial value to expanded perlite is; Its low density in small volume, physical flexibility, chemical stability, low sound permeability and fire resistance. Consumption areas of perlite are given below under headings.
1- Construction Sector:
Shaped insulation materials (roof and floor insulation)
Perlite Plasters
Lightweight insulation concrete with perlite aggregate (Cement or plaster binder)
Lightweight building elements with perlite aggregate, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, etc.
As loose filling material (as insulation material in attics, floor and wall cavities; in foam form after being subjected to a special treatment with silicone)
In surface flooring (as heat and sound insulator)
Perlite concretes for special purposes made with binders other than cement and gypsum
2. Agricultural Sector: As a “substrate” substance that increases the physical properties of the soil, it is widely used in the following areas for reasons such as providing the necessary appropriate soil conditions, reducing water drainage and preserving moisture by helping to increase the compactness of the soil, creating a breeding environment for seedlings, and aerating the soil.
in field agriculture
In horticulture and greenhouse cultivation (such as seedling cultivation, culture definition)
Grassy sports fields
3.Industrial Sector: .
As a filter aid in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries;
In the food industry: Filtering fruit juices, filtering vegetable cooking oils, filtering sugar syrup, filtering corn syrup (glucose / dextrose production), filtering beer, wine and liquors.
In the pharmaceutical and chemical industry: filtration of paints, paper industry (white water filtration), filtration of antibiotics, pectin filtration, citric acid filtration, filtration of soda ash solutions, sodium silicate (water glass), sulfuric acid filtration, uranium sherbet filtration, floc filtration (aluminum hydroxide and flocculation processes), phosphoric acid filtration.
In other filtration processes: Drinking water filtration, swimming pool water filtration, waste water cleaning and filtration processes, machine oil filtration (regeneration of used machine oils).
As a filler in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries;
Various drugs (human health drugs, veterinary drugs)
In pesticides (plant protection etc.)
In cleaning powders
in fertilizers
In dynamite production
In the production of paints with high covering capacity (wide surface)
In the cosmetic industry (soap etc.)
As a thermal insulation material in industry;
Pots etc. of reactors at temperatures up to 1000°C. in insulation
Insulation of cold storages
In thermal insulation of liquefied gas tanks: Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), liquefied natural gases (LNG), liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen and ammonia, liquid propane, ethane and methane, liquid noble gases, propellant gases (propellants), refrigerants (refrigerants, etc.). )
As an additive in the ceramic and glass industry;
in metallurgy
As an additive to foundry sand
As metallurgical flux in foundry
In protecting the molten metal in the crucible
Slag control of molten metal in the Iron and Steel industry
Preventing heat loss in forging or hot metal ingots going to rolling
In the production of perlite insulating refractories
Refractory bricks with ceramic binder
Perlite refractory bricks or concretes with aluminum phosphate binder
Perlite refractory mortars
Applications in Other Fields;
In oil, water and geothermal drilling (as an additive to facilitate the cementing process)
Coating and insulation of ship bottoms (caulking pastes)
To eliminate water pollution caused by oil residues or other oily wastes (especially in the seas)
To prevent water loss through evaporation in dam lakes, cities and open water reservoirs.
As filling material in packaging
As filler and additive material for plastic foam and plates
As filler in making cheap and lightweight plastic furniture (Garden chair and table)
Perlite is used in expanded form as an insulation layer against fire, especially in steel constructions, and it also has a wide range of uses in its raw form.
Since raw perlite contains siliceous and aluminum compounds in its chemical composition, it shows hydraulic activity by chemically reacting with calcium-based binders. Due to this feature, it is widely used in the construction industry. Perlite gives durability to cement. For this purpose, raw perlite rock is crushed, ground and sieved, and naturally occurring perlite resources in aggregate form are also used. Perlite, which is found as a natural aggregate in this way, has large reserves in our country. (In beds around Erzincan, Nevşehir, Ankara)
