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PERLITE
Perlite is the generic name for naturally occurring siliceous volcanic rock, and is mined in Australia and New Zealand.
AUSPERL is pleased to offer to grades of perlite ore from which expended perlite products are produced.
 Australian sourced perlite is very old in comparison to other resources. As a result when popped it is harder and more resilient than younger, softer ores making it particularly useful for horticultural applications.
New Zealand sourced perlite is its extremely young age relative to other global resources. This allows for greater expansion and yield nearing the maximum of up to 25 times its original volume when heated to its softening range. Alternately due to its young age, the ore expands with lower energy requirements allowing for more cost effective processing.
 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 vaporizes and causes the softened rock to expand. Tiny glass-like bubbles are produced which account for the lightweight and exceptional physical properties of expanded perlite.
| PERLITE ORE |
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Typical Chemical Analysis
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Typical Physical Properties
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Silica
|
74.0% |
Specific Gravity (g/ml) |
2-2.1 g/ml |
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Aluminum Oxide
|
14.0% |
Colour |
Light Brown |
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Ferric Oxide
|
1.0% |
Fusion Point |
1260 – 1340c |
|
Calcium Oxide
|
1.3 % |
Softening Point |
871 – 1093c |
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Magnesium Oxide
|
0.3% |
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|
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Sodium Oxide
|
3.0% |
Test Methods
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Potassium Oxide
|
4.0% |
1 Chemical by XRF |
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Titanium Oxide
|
0.1% |
2 Moisture by drying as per PI 118-77 |
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Heavy metals
|
Trace |
3 LOI - muffle furnace at 1100 C/1.5 hrs |
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Sulphate
|
Trace |
4 Spec gravity by water immersion |
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Moisture
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0.5% |
5 PSD by dry sieve on BS410 sieves |
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Loss in Ignition
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3.2% |
6 Loose bulk density by DIN 53194 |
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pH (water extract)
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6.5 - 8.0 |
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| EXPANDED PERLITE |
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Typical Chemical Analysis
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Typical Physical Properties
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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% |
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|
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Sodium Oxide
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3.0% |
Test Methods
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Potassium Oxide
|
4.0% |
1 Chemical by XRF |
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Titanium Oxide
|
0.1% |
2 Moisture by drying 110 C for 1.5 hrs |
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Heavy metals
|
Trace |
3 Org. Content - weight of matter soluble in carbon tetrachloride |
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Sulphate
|
Trace |
4 Spec gravity by water immersion |
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Moisture
|
0.3% |
5 PSD by dry sieve on BS410 sieves |
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Organic Content
|
<0.1% |
6 Loose bulk density by DIN 53194 |
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Thermal Conductivity
|
0.0361@0 C |
7 T. Conductivity per ASTM C518-98 |
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8 Compacted density as per PI 201-77 |
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