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Description:
Vermiculite is the name given to a group of hydrated laminar minerals which are aluminium-iron-magnesium silicates, resembling mica in appearance. Crude Vermiculite consists of thin, flat flakes containing microscopic layers of water. On being subjected suddenly to high temperatures (700°C to 1000°C) vermiculite flakes will expand to many times their original size due to the microscopic layers of water turning to steam and forcing the laminar layers apart. Exfoliated Vermiculite consists of accordion-like granules containing microscopic air layers, to which vermiculite owes its light weight and excellent insulation properties capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 1000°C.
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