Perlite for Fillers

As a filler, perlite ore is not that much different from any other non-white kind of rock, other than its small amount of chemically bound water. In addition to having a characteristic white color and round shape, each perlite particle is formed by the expansion process.
Particles are characterized by their characteristic white color and rounded shape due to this expansion. One of these fillers is perlite hollow glass microspheres. The expansion process is carefully controlled to ensure as complete a closed-cell bubble as possible. Perlite microspheres, when properly made, contain a relatively small number of inner cells, unlike the larger, standardly expanded aggregate particles.


Advantages of Perlite as a Filler
■ Weight reduction
■ Shrink and/or crack resistance
■ Low volume-based cost compared to binders and some other fillers
■ Whiteness
■ Impact resistance
■ Machinability and ease of sanding
■ Nail and screw holding ability
■ Flexural strength modification
■ Very fine texture in coatings
■ Gloss and sheen control
■ Pigment extension
■ Inertness and non-toxicity
■ Water and/or air permeability
■ Fire resistance
■ Insulation
■ Modification of acoustic properties
■ Available in various sizes and densities