Industrial Uses and Applications of Perlite

Ladel Topping Applications

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.

DicaPerl® slag coagulant material is manually added to the surface of molten metal after it is poured into a ladle. Slag that is present on the molten metal adheres to the perlite and floats for removal. With the removal of the combined perlite and slag, the metal is clean and ready for casting.

Enhanced by Perlite

Perlite industrial uses are so vast, many consumers are only a few feet away from something enhanced by the mineral—whether or not they know it!

• Ceiling tiles
• Pipe insulation
• Roofing board
• Fire-rated door cores
• High-temperature insulation
• Molten metal topping
• Joint compound, spackling
• Cryogenic insulation
• Filtration
• Lightweight fillers
• Decorative stone
• Fireplace chimneys
• Specialty stoves
• Wood fired bread and pizza ovens

Perlite Filler Size and Shape

Industrial perlite ore grades are milled accordingly to fit your industrial requirements (see perlite ore lind card). Expansion of perlite ore grades is manufactured in 10+ locations across North America. Perlite microspheres, one form of expanding perlite, form from a unique milling process consisting of broken, expanded perlite particles that form flake-like, flat particles with an interlocking, three-dimensional structure. This structure helps reduce shrinkage upon drying or curing, maintaining the physical dimensions of the host material. Typical uses for perlite glass flake fillers are:

• Water-based construction compounds
• Paints
• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Plaster
• Resin-based castings