There is a reason why perlite is increasingly being called 'the best material in the world'. Surprising? To some, it certainly is, but those who are already familiar with the properties and applications of this material will definitely agree.
Perlite is a versatile building material. It can be used in many areas. Among other things, it is used in the production of SYSTEM 3E elements, providing safe walls with an integral structure and significantly improved properties and capillarity.
What is there to know about this remarkable yet natural material?
Where is perlite used? It is a popular material in the following industries.
Perlite is not the name of a commercial material but a naturally occurring siliceous volcanic rock. Its vast usage led perlite to be applied in many industries, including construction, horticulture, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and even the cosmetics industry. And this is not an exaggerated marketing statement!
The 'superpower' of perlite consists of many factors that need to be better known and understood. The properties of perlite and its applications are well documented in the scientific and technical literature. Research such as scientific papers, industry publications, and technical standards confirm the effectiveness of perlite in many applications. What are the key capabilities of this remarkable natural material?
Perlite and the construction industry.
Allergies in children and poor health or respiratory problems? These are the problems faced by people whose houses or flats are affected by mold and dampness in the walls every day. It is difficult to take care of your health when the conditions in which you live are unsatisfactory. It is not an isolated problem. In climates where humidity is common, building healthy walls may be a challenge. The materials commonly used in construction do not always provide adequate diffusion, resulting in less moisture removal.
Therefore, the use of perlite in construction is an excellent choice. And most importantly - a safe one! However, it does not have the same good PR as other popular materials. There are several reasons for this. Contractors and developers are very selective when choosing new materials to avoid problems and complaints during the contractual warranty period. Also, customers are not always immediately convinced when they hear the word 'perlite' that the material is a good choice. For many, it is something new - and no one wants to be a guinea pig. However, it is worth knowing that perlite has been around for more than 100 years. It retains its properties over a long period of time and is believed to have a virtually unlimited life. After all, if it has existed in nature for millions of years in the unaltered form of solidified lava, why not use it as an ingredient in building materials, plaster, a loose insulation material, or a roofing filler?
The properties of perlite that are valued in the construction industry.
Thermal and acoustic insulation: In the publication "A synopsis about perlite as a building material - A best practice guide for Civil Engineer", Alaa M. Rashad demonstrated, among other things, the thermal and acoustic resistance properties of perlite. Perlite is an excellent thermal insulator, thanks to the air cells contained in its structure. It results in high thermal performance while maintaining excellent insulation properties.
Fire resistance: Contrary to popular belief perlite is a non-combustible material. It only expands when exposed to very rapid heating at temperatures between 900 and 1200 degrees Celsius. The non-combustible nature of this natural composite means that it provides safer and more durable building structures.
Lightweight: Perlite is recognized as a lightweight material, making it ideal for use where component weight is important. It is used in roofs or lightweight, breathable construction and partition walls.
Moisture drainage: Perlite drains perfectly, so it does not weigh down the structure and prevents the formation of mold and dampness in the walls.
Resistance to decomposition: Perlite's stable chemical structure makes it resistant to decomposition when exposed to different atmospheric conditions. Therefore, it is a durable material, ideal for use as a structural element in building and civil engineering.
Cost-effectiveness: Because perlite is a natural material, the cost of obtaining it is lower than for man-made products. In addition, it saves time, labor, and materials, resulting in optimized construction budgets. Versatile and combinable with other materials: Perlite has a wide range of applications and is ideal for combination with cement, gypsum, and other building composites.
Perlite and its use in agriculture and horticulture.
However, perlite is not a material that can only be used in construction.
Better plant growth: Using perlite as a mix with soil, for example, creates air pockets that are excellent at retaining water and providing air space. This contributes to the growth of the root structure and improves the quality of the soil without compacting it.
Safe for plants: Perlite is a 100% natural material - a volcanic rock that has been on the earth for more than millions of years. It is completely safe for all plants, including those used in the food industry.
Resistant to micro-organisms: Perlite is ideal for use on crops because it is not affected by micro-organisms or acids. Therefore, there is no risk of contamination by pests or pathogens.
Veterinary and pharmaceuticals - another area where perlite is used.
The versatility of perlite makes it suitable for use in industries such as veterinary medicine and pharmaceuticals. It is an excellent carrier for drugs, especially antibiotics.
In addition, perlite has a neutral PH, making it human and animal-friendly, completely non-toxic, odorless, and environmentally safe. It is also used in veterinary medicine as a substrate filler, e.g. to control red mites in poultry houses, or as an odor absorber (e.g. added to the composition of gravel, pellets, or other substrates).
What are some other uses for perlite?
Perlite is a versatile material - and while it is most commonly used in construction and horticulture, it is also used successfully in other industries. Perlite is becoming increasingly popular as an ingredient in personal care products. In the cosmetics industry, it is a component of exfoliants and cleansers due to its gentle abrasiveness. It is also used as a cleaning and polishing agent, e.g. in toothpaste, or as an additive in natural deodorants.
An interesting fact is that perlite is also used in the aerospace industry for structural components in aircraft due to its lightweight. This helps to reduce the weight of the aircraft, which saves fuel during flight.
Perlite is also a common filter media in water treatment plants. The reason? Because it is resistant to many chemicals, corrosion, and acids. It is therefore safe and, thanks to its micropores, it is also excellent at filtering and purifying water. It is also used to filter certain beverages, such as beer.
Due to the versatility of perlite, especially in the form of expanded perlite, it finds its way into many industries. Where else can you find it? Its fireproof properties make it useful as a burner cover for industrial furnaces or as a filler for metallurgical furnaces. The material can also be utilized as a polishing agent (often as an additive in heavy-duty hand-cleaning pastes and polishes) or in thermal plasters, paints, and varnishes.
Complete your next project using the only mortar free perlite wall construction system.
Perlite is an extremely versatile material that has many applications, from thermal insulation to fluid filtration. Its unique properties make it indispensable in many areas of life. On top of this, it is long-lasting and durable. Therefore, the 3E elements are created from perlite. Buildings and houses built with SYSTEM 3E technology have high energy efficiency, provide a healthy microclimate (free of moisture and mould), as well as peace and quiet - which is guaranteed by the acoustic insulation of pelite bricks.
Good to know...
If you would like to find out more about perlite and its wide application in the construction industry - especially in the area of building walls, contact us. Book a call with one of our consultants and start building eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and safe homes with SYSTEM 3E.
Choosing SYSTEM 3E is a step towards building the homes of the future, where safety and the highest quality are the priorities.
Contact us so we can help you improve the quality of your construction projects. Build with SYSTEM 3E and leave damp problems behind.