Sunday, 13 July 2008

Random Factoid: Perlite

The amorphous structure of glassy Silica (SiO 2 ).Image via WikipediaEver wondered what Perlite is?

It's the stuff that goes in between the two layers of steel in a Vacuum Insulated Evaporator (VIE) which is used for storing about 10 days worth of oxygen on hospital grounds.

It's a form of volcanic glass, which when heated expands from being a glass to being about 10-15 times the original volume. This means that it becomes very low density, and also acts as a good insulator.

It is also used in plaster (as in for walls) and in hydroponics because it's very good at holding water.


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