Mica is found in natural mineral formations of the earth's crust. It is a rock of volcanic origin, which was formed during the cooling of molten lava. It is also worth noting that mica is an excellent insulator that does not conduct electricity and heat.
Interpretation of the concept
This group of minerals has perfect cleavage in one direction. They are able to split into very thin hard plates, while maintaining elasticity, flexibility and strength.
Thus, we can conclude that mica is a mineral that visually resembles glass and has the structure of layered crystals. It is due to this feature, and also because of the weak connection between the individual packages of materials that certain chemical properties are formed.
Regardless of the fact that there are many varieties of the mineral in question, it has common characteristics, such as:
- lamellarness;
- basal cleavage;
- ability to split into the finest components.
Varieties of mica
Based on the chemical composition, the following classification of the mineral in question can be provided, namely:
- Magnesian gland mica - biotite, phlogopite and lepidomelan.
- Aluminum mica - paragonite and muscovite.
- Lithium mica - zinnwaldite, lepidolite and tainiolite.
There is another typology of this mineral, which refers to the concept of "industrial mica":
- scrap and small mica (waste parts from the production of sheet mica);
- intumescent mica is vermiculite obtained by roasting a given mineral;
- sheet mica.
Scope of the considered volcanic rock
Mica is a mineral of metamorphic, sedimentary and intrusive rocks, and in combination it is also a mineral.
Phlogopite and muscovite are high-quality electrical insulating materials that are indispensable in areas such as radio, electrical and aircraft. The glass industry, for example, cannot do without lepidolite, from which optical glasses are made.
It is also worth noting that the large sizes of the sheets obtained by bonding mica and micanite plates are used as first-class electrical and thermal insulation materials. And from small mica and scrap, ground mica is obtained, which is used mainly in the cement, construction, rubber industry, in the production of plastics, paints, etc.
It is also used as a filler in stressed constructions and compositions intended for use in aggressive environments and in conditions of high humidity. Mica are fractionated, and depending on the size of the fraction, specific properties are given to the material. In particular, micromica can significantly strengthen the material, after which it will become resistant to any deformation, as well as to alternating loads.
Muscovite mica has a light gray color and is used in the manufacturing process of paints, building materials, plastics, adhesives, sealants, mastics, etc. To give concrete sound and heat insulating qualities, vermiculite is added to it.
In addition, mica is a mineral characterized by decorative properties that are used in such areas:
- production of fireplace screens;
- the creation of stained glass;
- jewelry business.
What rock contains this mineral?
Granite is a stone whose mica was discovered in large volume. It is one of the most common crystalline natural mineral aggregates. Stone is traditionally used in the construction field.
The word "granite" comes from the Latin "granum", which translates as "grain". This stone has been widely used by architects and designers for several hundred years due to the fact that it has such unique qualities as mechanical strength, durability and frost resistance, ideally combined with its decorative properties.
The pleasant appearance of granite is suitable for exterior cladding of objects - the construction of embankments or the creation of monuments, and for the interior (various decorative elements).
It consists of quartz and feldspar, mica and other minerals. Their ratio affects the color and strength of the stone.
What does he happen to be?
Based on the grain size, the following varieties of granite can be distinguished, namely:
- coarse-grained stone (over 10 mm);
- medium granite (2-10 mm);
- fine-grained (less than 2 mm).
The color palette of granite is represented by almost the entire spectrum of shades. Multi-colored grains are feldspar, granite turns black mica, and quartz is responsible for sparkling translucent grains.
His virtues
Granite is a stone whose mica makes it durable in comparison with popular marble. Products made from it never lose their properties and are not deformed externally when operated in a climate with a continental seasonal temperature difference of more than one hundred degrees. Thus, granite is not afraid of either sixty degrees of frost, or heat above 50 degrees, which is important in the Russian climate. In addition, this stone is much less susceptible to fungal infections than the same marble.
Granite, which mica is included in the form of muscovite and biotite, is not only durable, but also fireproof stone. It begins to melt at temperatures above 700 degrees Celsius.
You should also consider such a criterion that determines the degree of strength, as moisture absorption. Granite bypasses all its competitors.
Versions about the origin of the name of light mica
The first instance of the mineral in question that appeared in European civilization was the "native" from Karelia. Mica, the description of which was presented earlier, was exported in significant quantities to the West and was one of the main exported goods of our country in the XVII-XVIII centuries. Proof of this can be the origin of the name of light mica - muscovite - from the former name of the capital of the Russian state (XV-XVIII centuries) - Muscovy. Therefore, we can say that she arrived in Western markets from Russia.
According to the scientific version, the occurrence of this name is considered to be the moment when, according to the double taxonomy proposed by such a Swedish naturalist as Karl Linney, the German mineralogist Valerius assigned a specific name to the industrial mica in the heading of the corresponding section, namely “Vitrum moscoviticum Wall”. Subsequently, only the central word from the proposed term is preserved in the double name system.
History of mica exploitation in industrial areas
The first cases of the use of this mineral, mainly instead of window glass, were witnessed in Novgorod (X-XII centuries) during the development of the wealth of Karelia and the Kola Peninsula on this territory . Then Ivan the Terrible conquered Novgorod and Pskov, which contributed to the acquaintance of the Moscow rulers with mica.
At the beginning of the seventeenth century in Karelia, mica industry was already quite widely developed. According to official figures, by the beginning of 1608 there was a decree of the Moscow government regarding the collection of taxes from the mined mineral in the amount of one tenth of the total.
The development and exploration of Siberia in the 17th century led to new discoveries of the mica deposit. Its presence was attested by Vladimir Atlasov in 1683 on Aldan. These deposits were subsequently forgotten, and only two hundred and fifty years later (on the eve of World War II) were discovered again. At that time, exploitation of mica began mainly for the needs of the country's defense.
Disadvantages of the breed
As mentioned earlier, mica is a mineral that can give significant strength to the material. However, despite its highly appreciated properties of versatility and practicality, this rock is characterized by porosity and fragility. That is why mica is used exclusively in combination with other components that are able to provide the material with solidity and mechanical strength. The presence of this mineral in rocks reduces their durability and strength, complicates grinding and polishing.
What are interconnected quartz, granite, mica?
To understand this issue again, it is worth giving a brief explanation of each of these terms.
Mica acts as a mineral, consisting of thin leaves, plates. These compound particles are easily split. They are a transparent dark tint with a glimpse. Mica is an integral component of granite and several other rocks. Its development is carried out by open or underground method. In this case, blasting operations are used. Mica crystals are selected from rock masses exclusively by hand. In addition, methods for its industrial synthesis have already been developed.
Quartz is a mineral that is not only part of granite, but also often found in a separate form. Its crystals can have sizes from a few millimeters to several meters. The transparent embodiment of this mineral is called rock crystal and white - milk quartz. The most famous is the transparent violet quartz - amethyst. There is pink and blue, and many other varieties of this mineral, which are used mainly in the manufacturing of jewelry.
Granite is a rock that consists of grains of several minerals, such as mica, feldspar and quartz. It is pink, gray, red. It can often be found in cities, as they are faced with the walls of some buildings, made pedestals for monuments and laid out river embankments.