Lapillus
Composition
OPEN CELL ALVEOLAR LAPILLUS
In essence it is an effusive magmatic mineral (Vulsini Volcanite from the Pleistocene period) naturally calcined at high temperature, porous, insulating and lightweight.
It is a natural volcanic inert, ready-to-use, easy to apply, free form toxic and hazardous substances and from weed seeds. Volcanic Lapillus contributes to form lawns which can be used very intensively (up to 500 hours/year).
PUMICES AND LAPILLI ARE PRODUCTS OF EXPLOSIVE VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
PUMICES and LAPILLI are products of explosive volcanic eruptions formed following a violent expansion of gases dissolved in the chemical composition of lavas acid. The rapid cooling of the rock has prevented the crystallization of the same, trapping internally the gases and generating more or less expanded beehive minerals.
During the solidification, the vapours present in the magma, suddenly released, have caused the swelling of the whole magma mass. During this phase of rapid cooling, certain differences in the physical structure of various inert volcanic materials have been released.
The VOLCANIC LAPILLUS has been formed from a magma having a lower content of silicon The minor viscosity and a slowed down cooling of lava have facilitated the escape of a certain quantity of magma gases. In this way, minerals characterized by vacuousness, having a larger medium diameter than those of pumice but in lower quantity.
Fields of application
Material particularly recommended for the preparation of drainages, ideal for lawns, applications in sports facilities, for all building techniques: complying with ex DIN standards in all variations, with STRI standards, suitable for Unites States Golf Association (USGA) drainage purposes, reinforced and vertical drainage.
Nursery gardening
Root development substrates - Soil conditioning - Draining substrates for sports fields (soccer, tennis, etc.) - Stabilized drainage for clay court surfaces - Mulching - Preparing composts - Offground crops.
Building Industry
Thermal and acoustic insulation - Restructuring masonry and Reinforced Concrete (RC) - Restoring, strengthening and reinforcing floors - Green building - Thermal and sound insulating blocks and panels - Road embankments - Substrate insulation - Lightweight fillings - Stabilized drainage - Draining substrates for sports fields.
Lapillus mulch - Square Duca d’Aosta, MILAN
Lapillus as drainage - Vertical Forest, Milan
Slight filling with Lapillus - CityLife SpA, MILAN
Physico-chemical Characteristics
Nursery gardening*
Water retention: from 8 to 13% in volume - Water availability: from 6 to 9% in volume - pH: 7/8 - Cation Exchange Capacity (C.E.C.): approx. 18 milliequivalents/100g.
Building Industry**
Thermal conductivity: λ = 0.13 W/(mK), sound insulation, transpiration, excellent workability, fire-resistant, durability, red amber/brown color, average water content 7% in bulk, bulk density Specific Surface Area (S.S.A.) 1.9 Mg/m³ + 5%, porosity compared to volume 40-60%, temperature resistance 1,140°C - 1,150°C.
Mineral containing no active limestone and no Free Crystalline Silica (non-toxic product).
Imperial Measurements:
* C.E.C.: approx. 18 milliequivalents/0.22 lb.
** Bulk density Specific Surface Area (S.S.A.) 118.61 lb./ft³ + 5%,
temperature resistance 2,084°F – 2,102°F