Natural Indian Minerals
Mica Minerals

Name and Composition - Muscovite, common mica, potash mica, muscovy glass: KAI2 (AISiO3) O10 (OH, F)2 (Silicate of aluminium and potassium, with hydroxyl ions & fluorine).

Physical Properties - Commonly occurs as tabular or hexagonal plates/sheets: transparent, exhibiting asterism. Thin cleavage plates are colourless but often with yellowish, greenish and seldom with reddish thing. Luster is vitreous, pearly and silvery on cleavage surfaces. Non conductor of heat and electricity.

Mode of Occurrence - Occurs in pegmatities in book form.

Uses - Mica had been used vastly in electrical, insulations industries, refractory bricks, electronics, mica paper, asphalt roofing, electrodes, paints, rubber, gauge-glasses of high pressure boiler, quartz wave plates of optical microscope, micanite (built-up mica), diaphragm of oxygen breathing equipments, marker dials of navigation compasses, window covers for pyrometers and thermal regulators, diaphragm in microwave transmitters and insulation wrappers for high tension radar coils, helium-neon lesser, mica washers in computer industries etc. Coating for arc welding electrodes, however, mica utilization has been reduced due to cheaper substitutes.

Mineral based Industries – Mica bricks (refractory bricks), pulverisers.

Industrial Prospects – Mica bricks (refractory bricks), pulverisers, mica paper, micanite plants, electrical insulations, mica board units.


Physical Properties
Hardness
Sp. gr.
Melting point
Cleavage
2.5 to 4
2.8 to 3.1
700 to 1000 °C
Perfect
Chemical Properties
Formula
Fracture
Luster
Streak
Color
AB2-3(X, Si)4O10(O, F, OH)2
Flaky
Pearly, vitreous
White, colorless
Purple, rosy, silver, gray
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