Thermalite (Vermiculite)

Thermalite (Vermiculite) a yellow or brown mineral found as an alteration product of mica and other minerals, used for insulation or as a moisture-retentive medium for growing plants.Thermalite is an environmentally friendly bio stable product. At elevated temperatures, it does not emit any harmful for breathing gases and dust slurries, which is an important advantage compared to other known organic materials, such as rock wool and asbestos.

Thermalite (Vermiculite) is a loose, porous material in the form of scaly particles (silver or yellow), produced in accelerated roasting of Thermalite concentrate (hydromica containing bound water between layers).

Ideal For

  • Weathering course
  • Landscape
  • Seed Germination
  • Swimming Pool base

 

  • Pipe Insulation
  • Back fill for Fire backs and boilers
  • Chimney Lining
  • Packaging

Unique Properties of Thermalite (Vermiculite)

Fire Resistance

Thermalite (Vermiculite) does not burn. Flammability class is A1.

High Thermal Insulation

Due to its scaly porous structure, expanded Thermalite (Vermiculite) is an excellent insulating material.

High Acoustic Insulation

Acting as a soundproofing material, expanded Thermalite (Vermiculite) is used as the thermo acoustic insulation filling in walls and partitions, floors and ceilings.

High Moisture Capacity

Exfoliated Thermalite (Vermiculite) is able to absorb liquids up to 500% of its own weight, i.e. 100 g of Thermalite absorbs 500 ml of water. It also has good absorption properties for gases and liquids.

Low Hygroscopicity

Thermalite (Vermiculite) has a low hygroscopicity (3%), i.e. at 100% relative air humidity, Thermalite humidity is 3%.

Environmental Safety

Thermalite (Vermiculite) is a 100% natural material and poses no threat to human beings and the environment. Thermalite (Vermiculite) is environmentally friendly and sterile material. It is non-toxic (even when exposed to flame!), It does not contain heavy metals. No adverse health effects.

Biological Resistance

Thermalite (Vermiculite) is not destroyed, not rotted, not oxidized and not decomposed under the influence of microorganisms. Insoluble in water and odorless.

Chemical Inertness

Thermalite (Vermiculite) is neutral towards alkalis and acids. It is inert against organic solvents and insoluble in water.

Longevity

Thermalite (Vermiculite) is durable, does not rot or oxidize. It is insoluble in water. Thermalite (Vermiculite) is resistant to the environment circumstances and therefore does not lose its properties over time.

Lightweight Bulk Density

Thermalite (Vermiculite) has considerable bulk density.

High Porosity

High porosity gives Thermalite (Vermiculite) a low thermal conductivity, high sound absorption and high moisture capacity.

High Flowability

Free flowing properties give Thermalite (Vermiculite) to fill the void of irregular shapes. It is easy to pour!

High Ion-Exchange Properties

Thermalite (Vermiculite) gives out magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and other ions in easily digestible forms. The high ion exchange properties are also
used for removal of radionuclide’s (cesium, strontium, etc.) from the body of animals, birds and fish.

Radiation Reflector

Thermalite (Vermiculite) is not radioactive. Thermalite reflects radioactive radiation (gamma, strontium-90, cesium-137, cobalt-58) and therefore is used in the
nuclear industry for the reflection of radiation.

Odorless

Thermalite (Vermiculite) is odorless and used as the most effective bedding material for elimination of smells of animals and birds. It is also used as a filler cat litter.

Richness in minerals

Thermalite is rich in minerals , such as:
Silicon oxide (SiO2) – 40,86% ; Magnesium oxide (MgO) – 16,73%
Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) – 12,57% ; Iron oxide (Fe2O3) – 9,82%
Calcium Oxide (CaO) – 6,73% ; Potassium oxide (K2O) – 2,92%
Sodium oxide (Na2O) – 1,83% ; Titanium dioxide (TiO2) – 1,09%
Sulfur oxide (SO3) – 0,24%

Asbestos Free

Our Thermalite (Vermiculite) is Asbestos Free.

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Thermal Conductivity of Thermalite

  • The thermal conductivity of expanded Thermalite is mainly determined by its grain composition loose bulk density. Characteristically, the grain composition has a greater influence on the thermal conductivity than the loose bulk density.
  • As world experience shows, Thermalite is very successfully used in construction, as fireproof bulk insulation. Flowability properties of Thermalite allows to fill the void of irregular shape. Thermal conductivity of 20 cm Thermalite layer equals to 1.5 m thick brick wall or 2 m thick concrete wall.
  • Owing to this feature, the use of Thermalite in attics insulation allows to reduce heat losses by:
    • 75% – if the layer is 5 cm thick,
    • 85% – if the layer is 7.5 cm thick,
    • 95% – if the layer is 10 cm thick.

Sound Insulation Properties of Thermalite

  • Exfoliated Thermalite has a high open porosity, so the filling by it is characterized by a high sound absorption. This property of Thermalite can be used to muffling airborne noise in ceilings of buildings.

  • Absorbing properties of exfoliated Thermalite depend on thickness of the fill, shape and size of Thermalite grains, the oscillation frequency of the sound.

  • With an increase in thickness of Thermalite backfill, sound absorption coefficient increases rapidly, reaching a maximum at a thickness of 50 mm. Only  superfine Thermalite’s optimal layer thickness can be considered as 40 mm.

  • In thicker layer of backfill, sound absorbing properties remain the same or even slightly reduce.

  • According to the International Classification, sound absorption properties of exfoliated Thermalite with 100 mm layer are referred to Class A, which is assigned only to sound proofers. The sound absorption coefficient of exfoliated Thermalite is above most materials used in construction.

  • Exfoliated Thermalite as an sound proofer can be used alone, for example, in insulation of floors, roofs, walls, or as part of concretes, plasters as well as Thermalite boards.

  • The thickness layer of exfoliated Thermalite influences the acoustic insulation properties: the thicker the layer, the better the sound insulation.

  • The optimum thickness layer of exfoliated Thermalite in the device of floors and roofs, as well as in filling the gaps between the walls is from 100 to 150 mm. Such amount of Thermalite is sufficient in the premises to show all its unique properties.

Thermalite Applications in different Industry

The majority of applications call for Thermalite in its exfoliated form. Thermalite has a wide range of uses that take advantage of its remarkable properties: resilience to fire, refractory nature, thermal and acoustic insulation, absorption capacity, low density and ease of handling.

Construction Industry

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Lightweight Concretes

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

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Loose fill Insulation

Loose fillThermalite can be used between joists in lofts for house insulation. The free flowing properties of exfoliated Thermalite make installation very simple. The insulating properties of Thermalite 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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Recommended as best thermal insulator and an ideal substitute over any other weathering course material

Advantages in Construction:

  • Low Electricity cost
  • Less Load on Structures

Agriculture & Floriculture

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Thermalite is well established as a growing medium. It is most commonly used in compost formulations, usually in combination with peat or coir. Thermalite/peat or coir compost formulations provide ideal conditions for plant growth. The presence of Thermalite particles in the compost aids aeration, improves moisture retention and promotes the steady release of added fertilizers, whilst the Thermalite itself contributes potassium, magnesium and a number of minor elements. The air/water ratios for Thermalite/peat or coir composts are ideal for the stimulation of root growth, and hence the production of healthy young plants. The Thermalite is sterile when processed. If stored correctly it will need no further treatment before incorporation into composts. Thermalite can also be used as a carrier and extender for fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. It is also used in a ground form for encapsulating seeds.

Advantages:

  • Requires less watering
  • Retains moisture and nutrients
  • Improves soil aeration
  • Needs no additional feeding
  • Eliminates damping off
  • Improves drought tolerance
  • Helps in faster seed germinations
  • Facilitates soil conditioning

Packaging

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Thermalite (Vermiculite) flakes are very light and handy but its super absorbent capacity makes it so interesting. Vermiculite is used as loose-fill packing in crates as absorber for sensitive or fragile products such as: vehicle batteries, lithium batteries, when special care is required for accidental spilling, organ transport. Thermalite (Vermiculite) complies with the regulations for dangerous goods transit packaging.

Thermalite’s (Vermiculite)  very light weight is appreciated for Air transport of flammable and corrosive products. Thermalite (Vermiculite)  not only absorbs liquids very easily, it also reduces shocks due to mechanical impact during transport and handling. All kinds of objects can be packed in vermiculite even those with special forms. Medium and large grade are most often used for this purpose.

Thermalite (Vermiculite)  is inert by nature and fire resistant. They are not the only advantages; Thermalite (Vermiculite)  is recyclable and safe to use. 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.

Health, Safety and Environmental ( Asbestos Free )

There are no real causes for concern about health risks from
Thermalite (vermiculite). Providing the vermiculite is used and handled in accordance with
the suppliers’ recommendations, it can be used in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
As with all other materials, it is important to adopt normal good working practices and to
comply with local and national regulatory requirements.

Automotive Industry

Vermiculite is used in the production of friction parts (e.g. brake linings, clutch discs, etc.),
rubber seals and automotive paints and lacquers. Its wide application in automotive industry
is due to its soft and porous structure and excellent acoustic absorption.It is also preferred
as an additive in the fabrication of friction components owing to its unique ability to expand
and resist at high temperatures.
As a filler to friction articles, vermiculite has the following advantages over otherfillers- full
conformity with health standards, asbestos-free, stable friction coefficient at elevated
temperatures.

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