Fluorite Minerals
Name and Composition - Fluorspar; CaF2 (Ca-51.2%, F 48.8%).
Physical Properties - It generally occurs as white, green, purple, yellow or blue coloured cubes or octahedral or tetrahedral crystals having vitreous lusture. Hardness is 4 and streak is white, sp.gr. 3.18.
Mode of Occurrence - Occurs in pockets, veins and stringers in granite and rhyolite.
Uses - It is the main source for fluorine gas used in manufacturing of hydrofluoric acid (HF) and aluminium fluoride (AlF3). Large amount of hydrofluoric acid is consumed in the manufacture of gases like neon and argon (CCl2F2), used as refrigerants and propellants. HF is used in the manufacture of a host of fluorine chemicals used in dilectries, metallurgy, wood preservative, herbicides, mouthwashes, decay preventing dentifrices, plastic and water fluoridation. Metallurgical grade fluorspar is used as a fluxing agent by steel industry. Fluorspar of different grades is used in the manufacture of aluminium bricks, chemicals, cements and glass fibers. It is also used in the melt shop by foundry industry.
Mineral based Industries – Chemical industries, cement factories.
Industrial Prospects – Manufacturing of hydrofluoric acid and aluminium fluoride.
Physical Properties
Hardness
Sp. gr.
Luster
Streak
Crystal symmetry
Fracture
Sp. gr.
Luster
Streak
Crystal symmetry
Fracture
4
3.18
Vitreous
White
Isometric
Subconchoidal to uneven
3.18
Vitreous
White
Isometric
Subconchoidal to uneven
Chemical Properties
Formula
Fusibility
Refractive index
Diaphaneity
Fusibility
Refractive index
Diaphaneity
CaF2
3
1.433–1.448
Transparent to translucent
3
1.433–1.448
Transparent to translucent
Indian Minerals
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