Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-05-07
ZONOLITE IN SOIL
Continued from page u

material winch ndu pIdcucdlly inSu-
lated the ground rod from the earth. A
further attempt was made to secure
a ground by putting large plate in
the Kootenai River, but after a short
time it was found that even in the
river it was insulated from the ground.
Further investigation proved that the
entire country was in Zonolite zone,
and in order to secure the proper
ground at Troy, Montana, it was neces-
sary to secure permission from a trans
continental railroad to ground on their
tracks. incidentally we might say in
passing that as soon as service was
brought up to standard, Libby and
Troy took their place along with the
large toll users.
The foregoing incident is related
for two purposes: first of all, to show
the main quality of the recently dis
covered mineral called Zonolite, Sec
ondly, to show the large amount of
this non-metallic metal that is avail
able in the near vicinity of Troy and
Libby, Montana.
Zonolite, which was first discovered
in this vicinity is mineral that be-
longs to the non-metallic group and
is further classified as member of the
vermiculite family Analysis shows it
to be composed of silica, naagnesia and
alumina. mostly silica.
When subjected to heat Zonolite ex-
pands almost instantly to approximate
ly fifteen times its bulk in the raw state
and turns from drab white color to
a beautiful brown. The expansion is
all yerticle, the leaves being separated
by tiny air spaces.
Zonolite weighs, in lump form, after
being subjected to heat, about eight
pounds to the cubic foot, the weight
increasing slightly as the material is
ground to finer sizes. A ton of Zono-
lite, as it comes from the furnace,
makes about $50 bushels. The specific
gravity is .0o7 and the thermal con-
ductivity is O.33 T. US. 1t is absolutely
non-inflammable and is fireproof up to
$500 degrees F. at which point it be-
, gins to calcine. 1t fuses at around 5000
degrees F.
It is lighter than cork and is usec
as a substitute for cork in many oil
it's important uses, 1t is vermin proof
-impervious to the attacks OF insects
worms and rodents.
| Il is insoluable in water, and. SO tai
as is known after extensive tests, in
soluable in any acid. 1t does not draw
moisture and small piece will floa
indefinitely in glass of water
1t is equal to mica as a dielectrle
/ puncturing at 20,800 volts-in othe
| words. there is no better electric in
/ sulation substance now in commercial
use. 1t is the best thermal insulato
known and is amazingly impervious t
heat and cold Ii is extremely effectiv
| also as d sound deadener
Experiments have demonstrated tina
Zonolite readily lends itself to com
bination with many other substance
mineral and vegetable, as binders i
the making Of many products, and It
easy working qualities in many Of if
applications permit greater efficienc
, at much lower cost than in the cas-
OF products now being used
In combination with gypsum or linn
putty, it makes an insulating plaster 9
low thermal conductivity that IS ire
from contraction cracks and when use
as d base coat, will take putty coat fin
ish, d sand finish or, in fact any tex
ture used on an ordinary plaster wal
In combination with wood pulp
makes an acoustical plaster Of decide
merit and low cost.
AS a dry insulator to pour betwee
the studs or over ceilings II is superb
TO any product now being offered 70
this purpose. Used in wallboard it re
duces thermal conductivity, decrease
weight and improves the fire resist
ance.
1t is extensively used by manufac
turers of safes, electric stoves, and re
frigerator cars-in fact, all industrie
that require efficient insulation agains
!, heat loss have found Zonolite very eff
fective. New cases are being develope
every day.
| Moving picture operators use it t
sound proof their studios and improv
the acoustics Of their theatres.
It is the most interesting and uniqu
non metallic mineral discovered il
years, and with the above mentione
qualities it is easily understood VIII
SO much interest is shown in the com
liberalization of the product.
1 A large amount of credit for tn
experiments which have proven tn
values OF Zonolite is due to locs
company of Libby, Montana. Zonolit
has passed the experimental stage, an
it is only matter of short time be
| fore the production and manufactur
of Zonolite will be one of the major in
dustries of that section of the countr,