Effect of the expanded perlite dose on the fire performance of gypsum plasters

Gypsum plasters are often used in buildings to provide passive protection against fire. This paper studies the fire behaviour of lightweight containing moderate and high doses expanded perlite. A propane flame was study heat transmission through plaster from exposed side back (2 cm thickness) using an IR camera. The microstructural mineralogical variations induced by were analysed scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) differential calorimetry (DSC) micro-perforated lids improve resolution (separation) endothermic peaks gypsum bassanite. drastically affected regardless concentration However, important differences found non-exposed depending on amount greatest alteration observed for perlite (6.5 % w/w) followed control samples (0 w/w). By contrast, (2.0 showed excellent performance CaSO4 2H2O well preserved. results suggest that incorporation materials should be carefully adjusted ensure appropriate protection.