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| Our RYOLEX® perlite is used as insulating cover on the surface of molten metal to prevent excessive heat loss during delays in pouring; to top off ingots to reduce piping and decrease lamination; to produce refractory blocks and bricks; and in several important foundry applications. The data in Figures 1 and 2 cover a range of perlite densities at mean temperatures as high as 1800°F (982°C). Although thermal conductivity increases appreciably above 1800°F (982°C), expanded perlite has been used at service temperatures as high as 2000°F (1093°C). |
 Figure 1 |
 Figure 2 |
| Atmospheric Service |
| The thermal conductivity of expanded perlite insulation at atmospheric pressure conditions has been shown to correlate directly with density, while perlite gradation has only a minor effect on thermal conductivity. |
| Evacuated Service |
| RYOLEX® perlite is non-hygroscopic, which adapts it for use under vacuum conditions. If evacuation is to be accomplished in a minimum amount of time, the perlite must be kept dry and the interstitial gas should have a low heat of adsorption. Heat transfer through an evacuated perlite filled annulus is a combination of solid conduction and thermal radiation. Gas conduction is also an important transfer mechanism if the interstitial gas pressure is not reduced to a suitable level. |
| REFERENCES |
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| HIGH TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS FOR RYOLEX® INDUSTRIAL PERLITE IN THE STEEL AND FOUNDRY INDUSTRIES |
| Service to 2000°F (1100°C) |
| High temperature performance of RYOLEX® expanded perlite insulation has been well documented over a period of many years. The data in Figure 3 details the thermal conductivity for various density perlite insulations up to 1800°F (980°C). Although thermal conductivity increases appreciably above 1800°F (980°C), expanded perlite has been used at service temperatures as high as 2000°F (1100°C). |
 Figure 3 |
| High Temperature Applications |
| RYOLEX® Perlite insulation is used in high temperature applications in the steel and foundry industries such as ladle topping, hot topping and risering, in topping compounds, in exothermic and insulating shapes, as a cushioning agent, in molding sand and in the manufacture of refractory blocks and bricks. |
| Ladle Topping |
| In ladle topping applications, expanded or unexpanded granular ore forms of perlite are added to molten metal pouring ladles. Most often the ore form is used which reacts with slag in the ladle to allow easy removal of the slag layer. In cases where it is desirable to maintain a metal temperature in a ladle, the expanded perlite layer forms an efficient insulating blanket. When perlite is introduced during ladle filling, a gentle rolling motion is produced which cleanses the metal by coagulating impurities. In addition, ladle lining life is increased by virtue of a vitreous residual coating left on the refractory by the perlite. An added advantage of perlite in this application is that no objectionable smoke or noxious fumes are produced. |
| Hot Topping and Risering |
| RYOLEX® Perlite is often mixed with exothermic powders and used in hot tops and risers to prevent shrinkage cavities in ingots and castings. Perlite is the most commonly used lightweight filler used for these applications because of its availability, cost and superior properties. Normal additions of perlite to insulating and exothermic compounds are in the range of 3 to 20% by weight. Formed shapes are often employed which take the form of hollow cylindrical sleeves for risers and panels for hot tops. These shapes perform essentially the same function as hot topping and risering powders and compounds. |
| Refractories |
| RYOLEX® perlite is used in the manufacture of refractories where the average temperature does not exceed approximately 2000°F (1100°C). Because of its excellent insulating properties, there is substantial usage of perlite in refractory castables, bricks and blocks. In higher temperature applications, perlite refractories are often used as back-up insulating layers for higher duty refractories. |
| Foundry Core and Molding Sand |
| Perlite is added to foundry core and molding sand mixtures as a cushioning agent to compensate for the expansion of crystalline silica as it goes through phase changes at temperatures in excess of 1000°F (540°C). Casting defects such as buckles, veining, fissuring and penetration are minimized and cleaning room costs are reduced. In addition, perlite improves permeability of core sands thus reducing defects attributable to poor venting. |
