Overview
Expanded vermiculite granules are produced by heating raw vermiculite ore to 900°C, causing exfoliation into accordion-like particles. This natural aluminosilicate mineral undergoes a 8-30x volume expansion during processing, creating lightweight, porous granules with exceptional thermal and acoustic properties. The material is chemically inert, pH-neutral, and non-combustible, making it suitable for diverse industrial applications. Its unique laminar structure provides high surface area and water-holding capacity, particularly valued in horticulture and construction sectors.
Physical and Chemical Properties
The granules exhibit a bulk density of 60-130 kg/m³, significantly lower than unexpanded vermiculite (2,400 kg/m³). Their layered structure contains trapped air pockets that deliver thermal conductivity of 0.053-0.062 W/mK, comparable to premium insulation materials. Chemically, vermiculite shows cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 100-150 meq/100g, enabling nutrient retention in agricultural applications. The material is stable up to 1,100°C and maintains structural integrity during thermal cycling, though prolonged exposure to moisture may reduce expansion efficiency.
Main Applications
In construction, vermiculite granules are used in lightweight concretes (density 600-1,000 kg/m³), fireproof sprays, and acoustic panels. The horticulture industry utilizes them as soil amendments (20-30% mix ratio) for aeration and moisture retention in potting soils. Industrial applications include refractory shapes, brake linings, and packaging materials. Recent developments include use in hydroponic systems and as carrier media for slow-release fertilizers, leveraging its high CEC and neutral pH characteristics.
Safety and Storage
While non-toxic, vermiculite dust requires NIOSH-approved N95 respirators during bulk handling. The material should be stored in sealed containers or under cover to prevent moisture absorption, which can reduce performance in insulation applications. Quality control should include testing for asbestos contamination (though modern sources are typically asbestos-free). Fireproof storage is unnecessary as the material is inherently incombustible (ASTM E136 classification).
B2B Procurement Guide
Key specifications to evaluate include: particle size distribution (common grades: 0.5-1mm, 1-3mm, 3-6mm), expansion ratio (higher ratios indicate better insulation), and bulk density. Construction-grade vermiculite typically has 15-30x expansion, while horticultural grades may prioritize water retention over insulation. For large orders (20+ tons), negotiate FOB pricing from major producers in South Africa, China, or Brazil. Verify ISO 9001 certification and request material safety data sheets (MSDS) with heavy metal content analysis.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：[]
- 主营：云母、轮胎粉、彩砂、蛭石、蛭石板、阻火模块、石英砂、无石棉矿物复合纤维、木质纤维、海泡石
- 主营：天然云母、硫酸钡、海泡石、膨胀蛭石、滑石粉、合成云母
- 主营：鹅卵石、河卵石、雨花石、蛭石、石英砂、彩色石子、粘胶石、烘干沙、洗米石、黑色石子、火山石、水洗石、白石子、灰色石子、绿沸石、玻璃砂、珍珠岩、圆粒砂、海沙、白沙子、彩砂、金刚砂、鹅卵石切片、高岭土
- 主营：耐火材料、硅藻土粉、白云石粉、蛭石、贝壳粉、高岭土、滑石粉、石英砂、金刚砂、碳酸钙、玻璃微珠、石墨粉、远红外粉、石英粉、麦饭石粉、沸石粉、重钙粉、轻钙粉、高纯负离子液、膨润土、赤石脂粉、鹅卵石雨花石、彩色石子、活性白土、膨胀石墨、硅酸锆
- 主营：石英砂、麦饭石、无烟煤滤料、蛭石、鹅卵石、石灰石、粉煤灰、过滤滤材、火山石、叶腊石
- 主营：高岭土系列、石英系列、石棉纤维系列、蛭石、海泡石系列、悬浮剂增稠剂系列、耐火材料系列、氧化铁颜料系列、碳酸钙系列、陶土系列、橡胶粉系列
- 主营：油漆陶瓷原料、添加用硅酸铝粉、煅烧高岭土、水洗高岭土、滑石粉、膨润土、黄陶土、红陶土、轻质碳酸钙、重质碳酸钙、铝矾土、重晶石粉、石英砂、沸石粉、海泡石
- 主营：轻钙、碳酸钙、贝壳粉、蛭石粉、重钙粉、膨润土、高岭土、微硅粉、硅藻土、玻璃粉、火山岩、火山石、硅灰、石英粉、重钙、珍珠岩粉、滑石粉、煤矸石粉、白云石粉、铝矾土、硅酸铝纤维、白色鹅卵石、麦饭石粉、陶瓷纤维、长石粉
- 主营：变压器鹅卵石、石英砂、火山石、宠物孵化蛭石、彩色石子、鹅卵石滤料、夜光石、黑色金刚砂、黑色砾石、白色石子、地坪五彩石、烘干砂、贝壳粉、重钙粉、轻钙粉、石英粉、滑石粉、煅烧高岭土、水洗石、水磨石子
- 主营：硅灰石粉、矿粉、硅灰、长石粉、高岭土、玻璃粉、膨润土、玻璃鳞片、萤石粉
- 主营：玻璃鳞片、高岭土、玻璃粉、蛭石、膨润土、滑石粉、铝矾土、硅灰、萤石粉、沉淀硫酸钡、重钙、轻钙、硅藻土、珍珠岩、玻璃微珠、重晶石粉、S95矿粉、透明粉、煅烧高岭土、玻璃砂、云母粉、木炭、硅酸铝粉、长石粉、火山石、贝壳粉
- 主营：蛭石、电气石负氧离子、膨润土、白沙
- 主营：石英砂、石英粉、碳酸钙、白云石、白云石粉、蛭石粉、重钙粉、轻钙粉、白沙、白石子、高岭土、煅烧高岭土、膨润土、氢氧化钙、染色石子、染色彩砂、麦饭石粉、凹凸棒土粉、滑石粉、氧化钙、珍珠岩、硅藻土、白陶土、火山石、金刚砂、铁钢砂、鹅卵石、沸石粉、重晶石粉、长石、铝矾土
- 主营：金刚砂、金刚砂地坪材料、石英砂、棕刚玉、夜光石、石子
- 主营：杨木粉、云母粉、膨润土、蛭石粉、膨胀蛭石、电气石、莫来砂、硅藻土、碳酸钙、石英砂、有机覆盖物、80目锯末、云母20目、碳粉200目、防火材料、高岭土、叶腊石粉、沸石、海泡石粉、橡胶涂料、空心漂珠、油田堵漏剂、火山石粉、重晶石粉、珍珠岩粉
- 主营：托玛琳粉、托玛琳牌、负离子牌、麦饭石球、负离子球、远红外粉、远红外球、铝矾土、膨润土、陶瓷片、电气石粉、陶瓷粉、陶瓷球、热敷球、抗菌球、电气石球、碳酸钙