17 January, 2018

Vermiculite in Insulation and Fire Protection

Vermiculite is a popular choice for home insulation in lofts because it possesses high thermal stability and is thus an excellent insulator. The presence of vermiculite as an insulator can dramatically reduce the quantity of heat lost in a home and is consequently a very economical investment. For this very reason, it has been utilized in the construction of pigsties to keep livestock warm during the cold winters. The loose-fill vermiculite is easy to install and can also operate as a sound absorbent material, so not only does it contribute towards maintaining a well-insulated home but goes some way to blocking out outdoor noise.

Vermiculite can be seen as a highly desirable property because it is inert. Due to this intrinsic fire resistance, it is an imperative component in a vast array of industries, particularly construction and most notably, the friction linings industry. A widely unknown fact for example is that vermiculite is likely to be present in the brake and clutch linings of your car. Furthermore, vermiculite can be applied to structural steel, in car parks for instance, by way of a spray. Due to the mineral’s ability to retain moisture, in the event of a fire, steam would be produced, which would in turn cool the steel and delay the spread of fire. Vermiculite’s presence in fire doors also contributes to this purpose.