Perlite

Perlite is a naturally occurring glassy material that is found in volcanic eruptions. It contains lots of water and is made by hydration of substance called obsidian. It has a unique property of expanding when it is heated. This happens because the water inside Perlite vaporizes upon heating and it escapes, leading to an expansion of the material.

It is used in various industries such as manufacture of refractory bricks and insulation of pipes used in construction industry. Galaxy Enterprise is one of the largest manufacturers of Perlite ore in India and it supplies them to its clients in different industries.

KARNATAKA SILICATES has a vast reserve of crude Perlite ore that is crushed and dried in a rotary drier. It is then ground and screened before it is sent to expansion plants. It is preheated to 800 degrees so as to reduce fines. It is then placed inside furnace where at a temperature of 1400-1800 degrees, the water trapped inside escapes after becoming steam.

Packaging of Perlite ore foundries is done in 50kg bags. The chemical composition of Perlite ore supplied by KARNATAKA SILICATES is as follows.

SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide-70-75%)
Al2O3 (Aluminum Oxide-12-15%)
Na2O (Sodium Oxide-3-4%)
K2O (Potassium Oxide-3-5%)
Fe2O3 (Iron Oxide- 0.5-2%)
MgO (magnesium Oxide-0.2-0.7%)
CaO (Calcium Oxide-0.5-1.5%)

Applications of Perlite Ore

1.CONSTRUCTION (FIRE AND THERMAL INSULATION)

Lightweight, Concrete Insulation
Funding
Plasters
Fillers
Joint Compounds
Roofing materials
Plaster boards
Ceiling tiles
Pipe insulation

2.CHEMISTRY AND PAINT

Matting Additive
Filling Additive

Geopolimer
Adsorbent and Absorbent

3.HORTICULTURE & AGRICULTURE

Gardening
Plant rooting
Seed composts
Growing Medium

Soil conditioner
Hydrophonics
Flower sport
Packing for shipping nursery stock
Greenroofs

4.FILTRATION/FILTER AID

Beer
Wine
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Citric acid
Sugar
Oil

Pharmaceuticals
Fruit juices
Glucose
Chemicals
Swimming pool water

5.CRYOGENICS

Super cooled gases in the containers for transport & in stationary plants
Vessels and storage tanks
Air Separation units

Cold Boxes
Refrigeration plants

6.TEXTILE

Bleaching Additive

Functional Additive (breathable fabrics)

7.PLASTICS &POLYMER

Sheet Moulding Compound
Anti-blocking agent
PVC profiles

Rubber
Composite

8.COSMETICS

Make up and facial care products
Hair care products
Toothpaste

Deodorant
Body care products

9.FOUNDRY

Sand Blasting
Slag coagulant

Special casting sand and mixtures
Silica source
Refactory bricks

10.OTHER USES

Phase Changing Materials
Sports flooring (tartan track)
Water reserves
Polishing material
Dental practice gloss cakes
Oil well cementing
Poultry litter
Animal feed
As an additive in the ceramic and glass industries
Explosives
Aerosols
Aquarium filters