Mica

Chemistry

K2O	11.800
Al2O3	38.400
SiO2	45.300

Volatiles

LOI

4.500

Links to Other Materials

Mica DF - Related
CusterMica - Related
Cache

Miscellaneous

Family: None
Region: None
Mined At: Unspecified
Raw Mineral: Yes
Generic: Yes

Notes

Stable, virtually inert except to hydroflouric and concentrated sulfuric acid. Impervious to water and atmosphere. Unaffected by exposure to UV light, water or extended low and high temperatures (up to 1800C). Free of asbestos and other non-asbestos fibrous materials. It is non-flammable, non-toxic and non-hazardous. Mica is invaluable in the electrical industry because of its unique combination of physical, chemical and thermal properties, low power loss factor, dielectric constant and dielectric strength. Also used in insulation, paint, metalurgical, and polymers.

Mica is used in low fire clay bodies to add a sparkle effect. Since it melts just below 2000F its use for this purpose is limited to below cone 02. Water washed micas are superior for this purpose. While this technique has been employed by various potters it is actually an old process. For more information about its history, see the book "All That Glitters" (available at www.axner.com).

Data sheets for various mica products quote a wide range of decomposition and melting temperatures (as high as 1800C for melting and 1500C for decomposition). A typical melting point of muscovite is around 1250-1300C. However there are many different kinds of mica.

(Richard Willis)

Clay-making mineral of the group mica (illite, glauconite, celadonite, etc.), a hydrous aluminum disilicate normally made up of Al, Si, K, Mg, Fe and Li plus traces of other metals. Can be used as a sort of catch-all mixture of recipe ingredients much as ash can be used, though not for the same or even similar composition, nor does mica absorb water as does an ash; and especially for increasing plasticity. Particularly when added to glaze slurries, a flocculant can hold the mica in suspension
for better mixing.
see aventurine, muscovite and schist

Authors

Tony Hansen (Owner)

Pictures

Beryl Feldspar Mica
Mica Star
Muscovite Mica
Muscovite Star Mica

XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<material name="Mica" descrip="" generic="1" rawmineral="1" searchkey="ISINGLASS, Muscovite, Biotite, Phlogopite" loi="4.50">
<oxides>
<oxide symbol="K2O" name="Potassium Oxide" status="U" percent="11.800" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="Al2O3" name="Aluminum Oxide, Alumina" status="" percent="38.400" tolerance=""/>
<oxide symbol="SiO2" name="Silicon Dioxide, Silica" status="" percent="45.300" tolerance=""/>
</oxides>
<volatiles>
<volatile symbol="" name="" percent="4.500" tolerance=""/>
</volatiles>
<references>
<reference name="seealso" reason=""/>
<reference name="seealso" reason=""/>
</references>
<notes>
<note>Stable, virtually inert except to hydroflouric and concentrated sulfuric acid. Impervious to water and atmosphere. Unaffected by exposure to UV light, water or extended low and high temperatures (up to 1800C). Free of asbestos and other non-asbestos fibrous materials. It is non-flammable, non-toxic and non-hazardous. Mica is invaluable in the electrical industry because of its unique combination of physical, chemical and thermal properties, low power loss factor, dielectric constant and dielectric strength. Also used in insulation, paint, metalurgical, and polymers.

Mica is used in low fire clay bodies to add a sparkle effect. Since it melts just below 2000F its use for this purpose is limited to below cone 02. Water washed micas are superior for this purpose. While this technique has been employed by various potters it is actually an old process. For more information about its history, see the book "All That Glitters" (available at www.axner.com).

Data sheets for various mica products quote a wide range of decomposition and melting temperatures (as high as 1800C for melting and 1500C for decomposition). A typical melting point of muscovite is around 1250-1300C. However there are many different kinds of mica.
</note>
<note>Clay-making mineral of the group mica (illite, glauconite, celadonite, etc.), a hydrous aluminum disilicate normally made up of Al, Si, K, Mg, Fe and Li plus traces of other metals. Can be used as a sort of catch-all mixture of recipe ingredients much as ash can be used, though not for the same or even similar composition, nor does mica absorb water as does an ash; and especially for increasing plasticity. Particularly when added to glaze slurries, a flocculant can hold the mica in suspension
for better mixing.
see aventurine, muscovite and schist</note>
</notes>
<pictures>
<picture description="Beryl Feldspar Mica" filename="beryl_feldspar_mica.jpg"/>
<picture description="Mica Star" filename="mica_star.jpg"/>
<picture description="Muscovite Mica" filename="muscovite_mica.jpg"/>
<picture description="Muscovite Star Mica" filename="muscovite_star_mica.jpg"/>
</pictures>
</material>

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