Uses and Properties of Mica

Mica is a naturally occurring mineral dust which is used in makeup foundations. It is used as filler in cement and asphalt, it is used as an insulation material in electric cables. Mica is fairly light and relatively soft, and the sheets and flakes of mica are flexible. There are thirty seven different mica minerals. They come in different colors like - purple, rosy, silver, gray (lepidolite); dark green, brown, etc. All mica is silicate minerals. The most common include: lepidolite, biotite, phlogopite and muscovite.

Chemical composition of muscovite
Muscovite is the most common mineral of the mica family which readily cleaves into thin transparent sheets. Muscovite is a potassium-rich mica with the following generalized composition - KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2. In this formula potassium is sometimes replaced by other ions with a single positive charge such as sodium, rubidium, or cesium. Muscovite has feature of having perfect cleavage and this allows it to transform its shape into sheets. This makes it easily identifiable.

Phlogopite mica properties
Phlogopite, also called brown mica, basic aluminosilicate of potassium, magnesium, and iron that is a member of the common mica group. Phlogopite mica has properties that has utility in manufacturing. Electronics board can be made by cleaving thin sheets. Electric insulators are made from phlogopite varieties containing less iron.

Use of mica
Mica has got extensive uses due to its special features which remains unaffected by temperature and easy availability. It is used to make various products of our daily use. Mica is used in paints as a pigment extender and also helps to brighten the tone of coloured pigments. It is used in toothpaste and cosmetics due to its lustrous appearance. Some varieties of mica are used in the making of automotive tyres.