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Perlite
Is an amorphous glass mineral of volcanic origin that expands
and becomes porous when it is heated. When heated, perlite can
expand to as much as twenty times its original volume.
Perlite is known in industry in two forms:
- Crude perlite: prepared by the crushing and
screening of perlite into various size fractions
- Expanded perlite: perlite after it has been
heated
Perlite has a limited number of applications such as ladle topping,
soap abrasive, polished, slag coagulant and as a silica source
in the production of calcium-silicate insulation material.
Links: The
Perlite Institute,
The
European Perlite and European Vermiculite Association
World Processed Perlite Production
Thousand Metric tonnes
| |
2002 |
2003 (e) |
| United States |
521 |
512 |
| Greece |
360 |
360 |
| Hungary |
150 |
175 |
| Japan |
250 |
250 |
| Turkey |
150 |
150 |
| Other Countries |
150 |
160 |
| World total |
1.600 |
1.600 |
Note:
(e) Estimated
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Commodieties Summaries,
January 2004 - http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/
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