General Description
MICA, a generic term, refers to any of a group of approximately 30 silicate minerals occurring as non-fibrous plates. Muscovite (hydrated aluminium potassium silicate[KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F, OH)2 ])and phlogopite (potassium magnesium aluminum silicate hydroxide) are the two major micas of commerce. Micas are commonly found in ordinary rocks. Inhalation of mica dust presents an occupational hazard.
Reactivity Profile
MICAS have generally low chemical reactivity.
Hazard
(Dust) Irritant by inhalation, may be dam-aging to lungs. Pneumoconiosis.
Potential Exposure
Mica is used as reinforcing filler for
plastics, substitute for asbestos; for insulation in electrical
equipment; used in the manufacture of roofing shingles,
wallpaper and paint.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately. If a person
breathes in large amounts of this chemical, move the
exposed person to fresh air at once.
Incompatibilities
Silicates react with lithium.
Description
Cosmetic mica, potassium aluminum silicate dehydrate, is refined and ground to particles of ≤150 μm. This material imparts a natural translucence when used up to 20% in formulations of face powder blushes. Mica is available as wet ground (creamy) or as dry ground (matte).
Chemical Properties
Mica (muscovite), takes the form of a colorless,
odorless solid that separates into flakes or thin sheets
of hydrous silicates.
Chemical Properties
Soft, translucent solid; colorless to slightred (ruby), brown to greenish yellow (amber). Noncombustible.Heat resistant to 600C.
Waste Disposal
Consider recycling, otherwise,
this chemical must be disposed of in compliance with existing
federal and local regulations. Landfill.
Occurrence
Mica exists in nature in a wide variety of compositions. Muscovite and phlogopite are the only natural micas of commercial importance. Vermiculite, although not considered a true mica by most mineralogists, is a micaceous mineral formed from the weathering of phlogopite or biotite and is also of commercial importance.
Production Methods
Mica is a nonfibrous, natural silicate, found in plate form in
nine different species. These materials are hydrous silicates,
and the predominant minerals of commerce are
muscovite, a hydrous aluminosilicate, and phlogophite, a
magnesium silicate. Sheet forms of mica in the form
of muscovite have historically been mined by hand from
pegmatites.
Health Hazard
Mica dust causes
pneumoconiosis.
Agricultural Uses
Biotite is a widely distributed and important rockforming
mineral of the mica group. The general term
designates all ferro-magnesium micas, also called black
mica or magnesium-iron mica. This black and plate-like
mineral is found in some igneous rocks, such as granite.
It is tetrahedral mica with aluminum substituted for
silicon in the tetrahedral sheet, and ferrous (Fe2+) or
magnesium (Mg2+)io ns in the octahedral sheet.
Potassium release occurs more easily
with biotite than with muscovite. Biotite is used as the
source of soil potassium. It is more easily weathered to
chlorite than muscovite and, therefore, is less common in
sediments. Although commercially unimportant under
hydrothermal conditions, biotite transforms to
vermiculite which expands on heating and has
widespread application as light-weight concrete, plaster
aggregate, insulation, plant growing medium and
lubricant.
Industrial uses
Commercial mica is of two main types: sheet,and scrap or flake. Sheet muscovite is used asa dielectric in capacitors and vacuum tubes inelectronic equipment. Lower-quality muscoviteis used as an insulator in home electrical productssuch as hot plates, toasters, and irons.
Scrap and flake mica is ground for use in coatingson roofing materials and waterproof fabrics,and in paint, wallpaper, joint cement, plastics,cosmetics, well-drilling products, and avariety of agricultural products.For many years, glass-bonded mica hasbeen used in every type of electrical and electronicsystem where the insulation requirementsare preferably low-dissipation factor at high frequencies,a high-insulation resistance anddielectric-breakdown strength, along withextreme dimensional stability. Glass-bondedmicas are made in both machinable grades andprecision-moldable grades. Basically, the materialconsists of natural mica flake bonded witha low-loss electrical glass.
The availability of synthetic mica resultedin the development of so-called ceramoplastics,consisting of high-temperature electricalglass filled with synthetic mica. Ceramoplasticsprovide an increase in the electrical characteristicsover those of natural mica, and, inaddition, are more easily molded and havegreater thermal stability.
storage
Color Code—Green: General storage may be used.Prior to working with this chemical you should be trainedon its proper handling and storage. Store in tightly closedcontainers in a cool, well-ventilated area
