Mica properties

The preparation of the reflecting silver layers for MBI deserves special attention, since it affects the optical properties of the mirrors. Another important issue is the optical phase change [ ] at the mica/silver interface, which is responsible for a wavelength-dependent shift of all FECOs. The phase change is a fimction of silver layer thickness, T, especially for T < 40 mn [54]. The roughness of the silver layers can also have an effect on the resolution of the distance measurement [59, 60]. 

Pashley R M and Israelachvili J N 1981 A comparison of surface forces and interfacial properties of mica in purified surfactant solutions Colloids Surf. 2 169-87... 

Tack. Tack causes layers to adhere when they are pressed together. This property can be reduced by employing fillers with a finer psd or by dusting the stock with a laminar filler such as mica. In a related value, fillers such as mica can inhibit adhesion to the mold during processing. 

FIuorosihca.tes, Compared to the simple sUicates, these crystals have more complex chain and sheet stmctures. Examples from nature iaclude hydrous micas and amphiboles, including hornblende and nephrite jade. In glass-ceramics, fluorine replaces the hydroxyl ion fluorine is much easier to iacorporate ia glass and also makes the crystals more refractory. Eour commercial fluorosUicate glass-ceramic compositions and thek properties are Usted ia Table 2. 

Alumina in combination with siUca is present in limestone chiefly as clay, though other aluminum siUcates in the form of feldspar and mica may be found. When present in appreciable quantities, clay converts a high calcium limestone into a mad or argillaceous stone, which when calcined yields limes with hydrauhc properties. Limestones containing 5—10% clayey matter yield feebly hydrauHc limes those containing 15—30% produce highly hydrauHc limes. 

Muscovite mica formed as a primary mineral in pegmatites and granodiorite differs in physical properties compared to muscovite mica formed by secondary alteration (mica schist) (Table 2). The main differences are in flexibiUty and abiUty to be delaminated. Primary muscovite is not as brittle and delaminates much easier than muscovite formed as a secondary mineral. Mineralogical properties of the principal natural micas are shown in Table 3. The make-up of muscovite, phlogopite, and biotite are as follows ... 

Tables 4 and 5 show properties of ground mica products. For all forms of ground mica the index of refraction is 1.58 wt %, Mohs hardness is 2.5, oil absorption (Brit. Stand. 3483) is 60.75%, water solubihty (Brit. Stand. 1765) is <0.3%, the phericity factor is 0.01, and the softening point in °C is 1538. For Microni2ed and wet ground micas the brightness (green filter), pH, and apparent density in kg/m are 75, 5.2, and 160—224, respectively for dry ground mica, 66—75, 6.2, and 192—561, respectively (1).

Built-Up Mica. When the primary property needed for a particular appHcation is insulation, budt-up mica made by binding layered mica spHttings together serves as a substitute for the more expensive sheet mica. The principal uses for built-up mica are segment plate, molding plate, flexible plate, heater plate, and tape (7). 

Wet Ground Mica. Wet ground mica is used because of its unique properties, ie, luster, sHp and sheen, and high aspect ratio (1,1 )-... 

Particle Shape and Structure. Some materials exhibit particular properties owing to their particle shape or form, eg, the plate-like minerals talcum and mica or acicular woUastonite. It is often desired to maintain particle shape in such cases, an impact-type mill is usually chosen rather than a ball mill, as the latter tends to alter the original particle shape. 

Mica [12001 -26-2]—Cl Pigment White 20, Cl No. 77019. A white powder obtained from the naturally occurring mineral muscovite mica, consisting predominantly of a potassium aluminum siHcate, [1327-44-2] H2KAl2(Si0 2- Mica may be identified and semiquantitatively determined by its characteristic x-ray diffraction pattern and by its optical properties. 

These are silicon rubber, glass tape or glass mica tape sheathed, w ith an elastomer, having fire retardant and low smoke properties... 

Talc, unlike Che micas, consists of electrically neutral layers without the interleaving cations. It is valued for its softness, smoothrtess and dry lubricating properties, and for its whitertess, chermcal inertness and foliated structure. Its most important abdications are in ceramics, insecticides, paints and paper manufacture. The more familiar use in cosmetics and toilet preparations accounts for only 3% of world production which is about 5 Mt per annum. Half of this comes from Japan and the USA. and other major producers are Korea, the former Soviet Union, France and China. Talc and its more massive mineral form soapstone or steatite arc widely distributed throughout the world and many countries produce it for domestic consumption either by open-cast or underground mining. 

Table 17. Effect of the number of processing cycles on the properties of molded PP samples filled with mica particles [374]...

Table 18. Effect of molding method on mechanical properties of mica-filled thermoplastics (Vf = 0.5) [375]...

More complex (and more common) structures result when some of the sili-con(IV) in silicates is replaced by aluminum(III) to form the aluminosilicates. The missing positive charge is made up by extra cations. These cations account for the difference in properties between the silicate talc and the aluminosilicate mica. One form of mica is KMg (Si1AlO10)(OH)2. In this mineral, the sheets of tetrahedra are held together by extra K+ ions. Although it cleaves neatly into transparent layers when the sheets are torn apart, mica is not slippery like talc (Fig. 14.40). Sheets of mica are used for windows in furnaces. 

FIGURE 14.40 The aluminosilicate mica cleaves into thin transparent sheets with high melting points. These properties allow it to be used for windows in furnaces. 

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