Perlite
Other names: Perlite
Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)
Perlite is a silicate mineral that occurs in nature in the form of glass stones. These stones are the result of the cooling of magma. What makes perlite unique is its ability to expand when heated. When perlite is heated to temperatures around 850-900 degrees Celsius, the water molecules trapped in its structure quickly turn to steam, causing the perlite to expand up to 20 times its original volume. This process is often referred to as the "popcorn effect". The result is a lightweight, porous material that is biologically stable, non-flammable, insulating and absorbent.
Perlite has a wide range of applications in many industries. In agriculture and horticulture, it is often used as a soil improver to increase the water capacity of the soil and improve its permeability. Due to its insulating properties, perlite is often used in construction, especially as a thermal and acoustic insulator. It is also added to concrete to reduce its weight and increase its resistance to fire. In the field of industrial filters, perlite is used as a filter medium for the production of beer, wine and juices. Perlite also finds applications in the food and cosmetics industries, where it serves as an abrasive in toothpastes and scrubs. It also has a very specific use in the metallurgical industry as an insulator in furnaces.