ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS

Perlite is a petrographic term (not a trade name) for a siliceous volcanic rock which naturally occurs in certain regions throughout the world. The distinguishing feature, which sets it apart from other volcanic minerals is it's ability to expand four to twenty times it's original volume when heated to certain temperatures. When heated above 1600°F, crushed perlite rock expands in a manner similar to pop corn. This expansion is due to the presence of combined water within the crude perlite rock. The combined water vaporizes during the heating process and creates countless tiny bubbles in the heat softned glassy particles. It is these diminutive glass sealed bubbles which account for it's light weight and other exceptional physical properties of expanded perlite. Expanded perlite can be manufactured to weigh as little as 2.5 lbs. per cu. ft. RYOLEX® is a trade name applied to expanded perlite processed exclusively by Silbrico Corporation.

PERLITE TECH DATA SHEET

TYPICAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Softening point	1600°F-2000°F
Fusion point	2300°F-2450°F
pH	6.6 to 8.0
Specific Heat	0.20 CAL/G°C
Specific Gravity	2.2 to 2.4
Retractive Index	1.5
% Free Moisture, Max.	< 0.5

TYPICAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS*
Silicon	33.8
Aluminum	7.2
Potassium	3.5
Sodium	3.4
Iron	0.6
Calcium	0.6
Magnesium	0.2
Traces	0.2
Oxygen (by difference)	47.5
Net Total	97.0
Bound Water	3.0
Total	100.0

Trace Elements	(in percent %)
Arsenic	<0.001**
Barium	<0.1
Boron	<0.01
Chlorine	<0.0005
Chromium	<0.0075
Copper	<0.0015
Gallium	<0.05
Lead	<0.001**
Manganese	<0.3
Molybdenum	<0.002
Nickel	<0.002
Sulfur	<0.2
Titanium	<0.1
Zirconium	<0.003
**By Food Chemicals      Codex Method

* All analyses are shown in elemental form even though the actual forms present are mixed glassy silicates. Free Silica may be present in small amounts, characteristic of the particular ore body.

TYPICAL SCREEN ANALYSIS (Packaged in 4 cu. ft. bags) This listing is for standard grades. Other grades available upon request.

GRADE No. 1 Bag Wt. 31 to 34 Lbs.

Mesh +8 -8 +10 -10 +20 -20 +30 -30 +50 -50 +100 -100

% Volume 11 14 49 7 8 5 6

% Weight 8 11 51 7 9 6 8

Packing Density 8 Lbs. per cu. ft.

GRADE No. 2-A Bag Wt. 28 to 32 Lbs.

Mesh +8 -8 +10 -10 +20 -20 +30 -30 +50 -50 +100 -100

% Volume Trace 1 38 22 18 10 11

% Weight Trace 1 41 18 20 10 10

Packing Density 7.5 Lbs. per cu. ft.

GRADE No. 39 Bag Wt. 27 to 32 Lbs.

Mesh +30 -30 +50 -50 +100 -100 +200 -200

% Volume 12 52 24 8 4

% Weight 5 44 38 9 4

Packing Density 7 Lbs. per cu. ft.

GRADE No. 3-S Bag Wt. 10 to 14 Lbs.

Mesh +10 -10 +20 -20 +30 -30 +50 -50 +100 -100

% Volume 0 5 20 44 19 12

% Weight 0 4 14 41 24 17

Packing Density 3 Lbs. per cu. ft.

GRADE No. 9 Bag Wt. 26 to 30 Lbs.

Mesh +10 -10 +20 -20 +30 -30 +50 -50 +100 -100

% Volume 0 5 14 48 22 11

% Weight 0 3 10 44 32 11

Packing Density 7 Lbs. per cu. ft.

GRADE No. 5 Bag Wt. 24 to 30 Lbs.

Mesh +6 -6 +8 -8 +16 -16

% Volume 23 29 33 15

% Weight 21 30 31 18

Packing Density 6.5 Lbs. per cu. ft.

6300 River Road - Hodgkins, IL. 60525-4257 Phone: (800) 323-4287 - Fax: (708) 354-6698 Copyright © 1998 Silbrico Corporation All rights reserved. Send all questions and comments to:  info@silbrico.com

REFERENCES: J.L.F. Research, Inc., Reports dated December 24,1962, January 2,1964, July 1, 1965. "Thermal Conductivity of Expanded Perlite Cryogenic Fill Insulation," G.R. Kinzer, Jr., ASHRAE Journal, February, 1963 and 1967. Perlite Institute - TDS 2-4 1983

Back to Top