CRUDE AND EXFOLIATED VERMICULITE
Typical Specification:
| Vermiculite | Crude Vermiculite | Exfoliated Vermiculite | ||
| No | Grade | Size (mm) | Density (kg/m³) | Density (kg/m³) |
| 1 | Large | -3.0+7.0 | 1400-1600 | 140-170 |
| 2 | Medium | -4.0+1.4 | 1200-1400 | 130-150 |
| 3 | Fine | -2.0+0.7 | 1150-1350 | 120-145 |
| 4 | Superfine | -1.0+0.35 | 1100-1300 | 110-140 |
Major/Minor Components:
When analyzed chemically, crude and exfoliated vermiculite give the same values. Because vermiculite is a naturally occuring substance its exact composition may vary from sample to sample. Typical Range for Major Components
| SiO | Silicon Dioxide | 35-41% |
| Al2O3 | Aluminium Oxide | 6.0-9.5% |
| Fe2O3 | Iron Oxide | 6.0-9.5% |
| MgO | Magnesium Oxide | 21.5-25.5% |
| K2O | Potassium Oxide | 3-6% |
Typical Range for Minor Components
| CaO | Calcium Oxide | 2.0-6.0% |
| CO2 | Carbon Dioxide | 0.6-2.5% |
| TiO2 | Titanium Dioxide | 0.6-1.4% |
| F | Fluorine | 0.2-0.8% |
| Cr2O3 | Chrome Oxide | 0.01-0.15% |
| P2O5 | Phosphorus Pentoxide | 0.2-2.0% |
| Cl | Chlorine | 0-0.05% |
Specific Surface Area: The specific surface area for exfoliated vermiculite, as measured by the nitrogen absorption technique, is typically –
| Exfoliated Vermiculite | |||||
| No | Grade | m2/g | No | Name | m2/g |
| 5 | X-Large | 3.0 | 0 | Micron | 6.4 |
| 4 | Large | 3.4 | -1 | Micra | 6.8 |
| 3 | Medium | 4.0 | -2 | RSU | 7.2 |
| 2 | Fine | 4.4 | -3 | DDM | 7.5 |
| 1 | Supreme | 5.4 | |||
Absorption Capacity: All grades of exfoliated vermiculite will retain liquids within the inter-laminar voids of the individual particles as well as between the particles themselves.