Designed
to provide greater comfort at a
lower cost, CemteQ
has introduced a new surface-treated perlite for the insulation of cavity
walls. Branded PerlFill, the surface-treated perlite provides a quick and
effective, lightweight, non-flammable insulating fill for cavity walls that is as permanent as the walls that contain it.
The
product flows easily into all cracks, voids and cavities, providing a very
effective insulation blanket. Placement in new or existing walls requires no
particular training or equipment, making it an exceptionally
construction-friendly and cost-effective solution, particularly when compared
to high density polystyrene board. The product is either poured directly into
the cavity from the bag or using a hopper to guide the flow and prevent any
wastage.
PerlFill
is specially surface-treated to make it more water repellent, ensuring that its
insulation characteristics are maintained. Perlite is chemically inert ensuring
it will not corrode piping
and electrical or communications conduits, is pH neutral, non-toxic and sterile.
It is also vermin-resistant, does not rot, decay or settle and offers excellent
fire protection. As a loose-fill insulator in masonry construction,
perlite completely fills all crevices, cores and mortar areas and will flow
around any roughness, unevenness or exposed installations. It supports its own
weight and will not settle or bridge.
The
United States is the world’s largest producer and consumer of perlite where it
is promoted as a green building material. Laboratory tests on water transmission
by the Structural Clay Products Research Foundation in the USA show that a
cavity wall filled with treated perlite resists transmission of water to the
interior wythe. Performance of the overall wall was rated “excellent” in
accordance with procedures established by the National Bureau of Standards in
BMS82. Treated perlite insulation will not, however, waterproof a poorly
constructed masonry wall and good construction practice should also incorporate
the use of suitable weep holes and weep hole covers.
The
SANS 8301 tested K-value for PerlFill is 0.04136 W/m.K which gives an R-value in
a 50mm void of 1.21m2.K/W. Subsidence has been tested at around
0.41% or roughly 10mm on a 2,4m high wall. PerlFill is supplied in 100l bags
and CemteQ can assist with installation in key South African geographies.
Perlite
is a glass-like rock derived from the lava of under-sea volcanoes. After it is mined, the volcanic rock is ground and
shock-heated to around 900°C, which causes its water content to vaporize and
create the myriad tiny air bubbles and corresponding light weight and good
insulating properties. In
a final step, the granulate is treated with silicone to make it more
water-repellent.
In
addition to its use as an insulator in buildings, perlite is used for the
insulation of low-temperature equipment such as super-cold storage and
cryogenic tanks, as well as in food-processing applications.
Contact details
CemteQ Building Solutions
(Pty) Ltd
