6 December, 2017

Vermiculite in Construction

Vermiculite is utilized on a large-scale in the construction industry – but how or why exactly? Due to its slight bulk density, exfoliated vermiculite is an ideal ingredient in the manufacturing of lightweight concretes and plasterboards. These concretes can be used for in-situ roof and floor screeds and in the fabrication of precast products.

Vermiculite is also used in the making of some plasters because it’s presence provides a number of benefits. For example: improved coverage, improved adhesion to a wide range of backgrounds and increased resistance to cracking and shrinkage. These plasters can be made with either gypsum or Portland cement and applied by hand or with a spraying machine to improve ease of handling. Finer grades of vermiculite can even be added to plasters that provide a base for swimming pools.  

Due to its inertness, vermiculite is intrinsically fire resistant and thus, concretes containing vermiculite can be used for insulating around back boilers and as a fire back support material. Furthermore, exfoliated vermiculite is often used in the production of structural steel due to its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures (of around 1,000 degrees Celsius). Indeed, this property also ensures that vermiculite plays an important role in the friction linings industry, for example, it will be present in the brake and clutch linings of your car.

Learn more here: Vermiculite Applications and Uses