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Post by excitingrockets on May 2, 2014 4:22:32 GMT -8
Dear people,
Vermiculite, very light and very heat resistant, seems to be the ideal insulation material to mix with clay. In books and articles however, all experienced workers use Perlite. My question: why Perlite instead of Vermiculite?
I hope te hear your views.
Thanks,
Huub
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Post by peterberg on May 2, 2014 5:49:07 GMT -8
Hi Huub, welcome to the boards.
Perlite is more like popcorn, and will take up a limited amount of water. Vermiculite is expanded like a harmonica, so is much more open structured. In order to mix it with clay, you have to add a lot of water when using vermiculite. After the build of the stove you have to drive out much more water as compared to perlite/clay because of that.
In short, as a loose fill, use either of the materials. Mixed with clay, use perlite when you have the choice.
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Post by satamax on May 2, 2014 5:50:52 GMT -8
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Post by excitingrockets on May 2, 2014 6:01:52 GMT -8
Peter, thanks,both for the welcome and the advice.
Thanks satamax.
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Post by excitingrockets on May 2, 2014 7:39:20 GMT -8
In order to mix it with clay, you have to add a lot of water when using vermiculite. After the build of the stove you have to drive out much more water as compared to perlite/clay because of that. Mixed with clay, use perlite when you have the choice. Once the stove is built and eventually the water is driven out, wouldn't then vermiculite insulate a lot better because of all the air pockets that were filled with water in the beginning? |
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Post by Donkey on May 3, 2014 21:08:42 GMT -8
Once the stove is built and eventually the water is driven out, wouldn't then vermiculite insulate a lot better because of all the air pockets that were filled with water in the beginning? Maybe it would.. How much is enough? Different people and different applications will give you different answers.  Welcome to the boards. |
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Post by patamos on May 12, 2014 9:21:06 GMT -8
I find that mixing vermiculite with clay is problematic because it moves (shrinks) considerably as it dries. The clay would rather remain stable as it sets up so that the platelets can bind more effectively.
Also, vermiculite is kind a spongy al the time. Not a big deal if the mix is just filling space, but for taking a compressive load it could be an issue.
Perlite is much better in both regards.
my 2 cents
wel being
pat
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