Vermiculite in Use

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The majority of applications call for vermiculite in its exfoliated form.  Vermiculite is a very versatile mineral because of its thermal stability and inertness.  It is clean to handle, odorless, mold-resistant and also sterile due to the high temperature to which it is subjected in production.

Use these links to discover some of the many innovative uses for Vermiculite.

Horticulture                                                     Animal Feedstuffs

Packing Materials                                              Friction Linings

Fire Protection                                                  Vermiculite Plasters

Lightweight Concretes                                      Insulation in Steelworks and Foundries

Attic / Loft Insulation                                        Bitumen Coated Vermiculite Screeds

Applications for Processed Vermiculite        

Applications for Chemically Processed
and Modified Vermiculite

Horticulture

Vermiculite is well established as a growing medium.  It is most commonly used in compost formulations, usually in combination with peat.  Vermiculite / peat compost formulations provide ideal conditions for plant growth.  The presence of vermiculite particles in the compost aids aeration, improves moisture retention and promotes the steady release of added fertilizers while the vermiculite itself contributes potassium, magnesium and a number of minor elements.

The air / water ratios for vermiculite / peat composts are ideal for the stimulation of root growth and the production of healthy young plants.  The vermiculite is sterile when processed.  If stored correctly it will need no further treatment before incorporation into composts.  Vermiculite can also be used as a carrier and extender for fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides.  It is also used in a ground form for encapsulating seeds.

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Animal Feedstuffs

Vermiculite is free flowing. soft, sterile and absorbent.  This means it has found a role as a support and carrying medium for a range of nutrients such as fat concentrates, vitamin preparations and molasses.  The use of vermiculite gives a greater volume yield and accommodates a high liquid uptake while retaining good handling characteristics.

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Packing Materials

Exfoliated vermiculite is a useful packaging medium.  Not only is it lightweight, clean and easily poured around irregular shaped objects, it also provides good protection against shocks caused by impact and improper handling.

Being highly absorbent, it safely retains leaks from packed materials such as hazardous chemicals.  As it is inorganic, it does not present any potential fire hazards.

Exfoliated vermiculite can also be used as a packing material for storing fruit, bulbs and tubers.  Being soft and non-abrasive, it has also been used effectively for insulation and cushioning the base of plastic-lined swimming pools.

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Friction Linings

Vermiculite is now used extensively in the friction lining industry as a safe alternative to asbestos, and plays an important role in this field.

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Fire Protection

Vermiculite is recognized as a material particularly suited for fire protection.  Vermiculite - based products range from factory made boards and panels to premixed coatings suitable for application by mechanical spray or by hand plastering techniques.

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Vermiculite Plasters

Vermiculite plasters can be made with either gypsum or Portland cement.   The advantage which all types of vermiculite plasters have over conventional types of plasters are:

• improved coverage
• lighter weight
• improved workability
• excellent fire resistance
• reduced thermal conductivity
• improved adhesion to a wide range of backgrounds
• increased resistance to cracking and shrinkage

Vermiculite also improves the resistance to chipping of plasters due to the ability of vermiculite particles to accommodate dimensional change.

Vermiculite plasters, whether gypsum or cement based, can be applied by hand or by spraying machine.  Being a non-abrasive aggregate, vermiculite is well suited to spray application and the sprayed plasters can have an attractive decorative appearance.

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Lightweight Concretes

Vermiculite concretes are lightweight, have good insulating properties and are intrinsically fire resistant.  Vermiculite concretes may be used for insitu roof and floor screeds and in the fabrication of pre-cast products.  Vermiculite concretes can also be used for insulating around back boilers and as a fire back support material.

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Insulation in Steelworks and Foundries

Good thermal insulation, low density and its natural refractory properties combine with ease of application to make vermiculite a highly suitable material for use in steelworks and foundries.  It is used for hot topping molten steel to reduce heat loss from ingots and ladles and generally as a loose-fill insulator.

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Attic / Loft Insulation

Loosefill vermiculite can be used between joists in lofts for home insulation.  The free flowing properties of exfoliated vermiculite make installation very simple.  The insulating properties of vermiculite significantly reduce the loss of heat in cold weather and keep the interior cool in hot weather.  It also functions as a sound absorbent material.

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Bitumen Coated Vermiculite Screeds

Vermiculite, coated with a bituminous binder, can be used as a dry, lightweight roof screed.  this type of screed has the advantages of low thermal conductivity, low moisture content and ease of placement.

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Applications for Processed Vermiculite

Vermiculite may be milled either before or after exfoliation according to the range of particle sizes required.

Such milled or ground material may be used for the production of condensation control paints; high performance gaskets and seals and for upgrading the fire resistance of organic foams and other polymer systems.

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Applications for Chemically Processed and Modified Vermiculite

Chemical treatments can cause the layered structure of vermiculite to expand or delaminate, producing very high aspect ratio particles.

Such dispersions play an important role in the coating of both organic and inorganic fiber products.  This treatment substantially increases the thermal stability of the fibers.

A whole new family of vermiculite products can be generated by varying the chemical process.  It is possible to produce flexible films, papers and coatings, and to make specialized additives for various industries.

Developments in this area of research have indicated that it may be feasible to manufacture complex silicate structures which, when polymerized, would form inorganic analogues of organic polymer systems with unique properties of flexibility and fire resistance.

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Towards the Future

Vermiculite's traditional roles will continue well into the 21st century. Applications for processed and chemically modified vermiculites are also expected to arise in new and more diverse market areas; such forms of vermiculite thereby becoming valued products for the future.

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