mineral / Silicate / Board Product

Vermiculite Board (fire protection) (15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm)

Non-combustible fire protection board manufactured from expanded vermiculite and inorganic binders, offering excellent thermal insulation (λ = 0.09-0.18 W/mK) and high temperature resistance up to 1200°C. Available in multiple thicknesses for passive fire protection systems.

Atlas code
MIN-SIL-BRD-002
mineralsilicatefire-protectioninsulationnon-combustiblevermiculitethermal-barrier
Vermiculite Board (fire protection) (15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm)
At-a-glance signals

Non-combustible fire protection board manufactured from expanded vermiculite and inorganic binders, offering excellent thermal insulation (λ = 0.09-0.18 W/mK) and high temperature resistance up to 1200°C. Available in multiple thicknesses for passive fire protection systems.

Overview
Executive summary

Vermiculite board is a lightweight, non-combustible insulation material manufactured from expanded vermiculite particles combined with specific inorganic binders through compression and heat treatment. The unique internal structure contains numerous interlayer voids, providing excellent thermal insulation properties with thermal conductivity ranging from 0.09 to 0.18 W/(m·K). These boards maintain structural integrity at temperatures up to 1200°C and are available in standard thicknesses from 15mm to 50mm. The material offers combined benefits of fire resistance, thermal insulation, and acoustic dampening, making it ideal for Australian construction applications including fireplace surrounds, register plates, fire door cores, and bushfire protection systems.

Best when…
  • Non-combustible with excellent fire resistance up to 1200°C
  • Low thermal conductivity (0.09-0.18 W/mK) for superior insulation
  • Lightweight (500-1200 kg/m³) reducing structural loads
  • Easy to cut, drill, and shape with standard woodworking tools
  • Non-toxic and environmentally friendly with no VOC emissions
  • Excellent acoustic absorption properties (NRC 0.4-0.6 at 500 Hz)
  • Dimensionally stable with minimal thermal shrinkage (<2%)
  • Naturally resistant to insects, rodents, and fungal growth
  • Chemically inert and corrosion resistant
  • Smooth surface suitable for painting or finishing
Top advantages
  1. 01 Non-combustible with excellent fire resistance up to 1200°C
  2. 02 Low thermal conductivity (0.09-0.18 W/mK) for superior insulation
  3. 03 Lightweight (500-1200 kg/m³) reducing structural loads
  4. 04 Easy to cut, drill, and shape with standard woodworking tools
  5. 05 Non-toxic and environmentally friendly with no VOC emissions
Top limitations
  1. 01 Requires careful handling to prevent edge chipping
  2. 02 Must be stored flat to prevent bowing
  3. 03 Not suitable for exterior use without protection
  4. 04 Lower mechanical strength compared to cement boards
  5. 05 Potential for dust generation during cutting (requires PPE)
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
500 kg/m³
Specific gravity
0.75
Porosity
65 %
Water absorption
200 %
Hardness
2 Mohs scale, range: 1.5-2.5
UV resistance
Moderate
Chemical resistance
Excellent
pH tolerance
6-10
Surface roughness
50 µm μm, range: 30-80
Mechanical ·7
Tensile strength
0.8 MPa
Compressive strength
4.2 MPa
Flexural strength
1.6 MPa
Shear strength
0.6 MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.15
Impact resistance
Low
Creep resistance
Good
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
0.12
Carbon footprint
150 kg CO₂/m³, estimated from manufacturing process
Embodied energy
3.5 MJ/kg
Water footprint
50 L/kg
Recycled content
0 % Natural mineral product
Renewable content
0 %
Circular score
7 Fully recyclable, long service life (score /10)
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
Combustibility class
Non-combustible
Fire resistance level
120 minutes, range: 30-120, depends on thickness and application
Ignition temp
1350 °C °C, melting point
Flame spread index
0 Non-combustible per AS 1530.1
Smoke dev. index
0 Non-combustible material
Heat release rate
0 Non-combustible
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
Material cost (range)
45-85 AUD/m², varies by thickness and supplier
Material cost (per unit)
65 AUD/m², 25mm thickness average
Lead time
7 days, range: 3-14 days
Lifecycle cost
105 AUD/m², over 30 years
Annual maintenance
0 AUD/m², no maintenance required
Market availability
Moderate - specialist suppliers
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
30 years, range: 25-50
Maintenance interval
0 years, maintenance-free
Warranty period
10 years, manufacturer dependent
Layer D

Where it's used

Fire door cores (achieving EI30, EI60, and EI120 ratings)
Fireplace and wood stove surrounds
Register plates for flue systems
Industrial furnace and kiln insulation
Passive fire protection for structural steel
Acoustic panels for recording studios and cinemas
Thermal barriers in building cavities
Heat shields for range cookers and boilers
Fire-resistant wall linings
Replacement for traditional fire bricks
MIN-SIL-BRD-002 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.