Mica
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 and electronics industries 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. Thus it is impossible to give a formula and difficult to give a general chemistry (micas are never employed in ceramics for their chemistry anyway, the mineralogy of the material is what is important).
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 Out Bound Links
In Bound Links
Pictures
Muscovite Mica
Muscovite Star Mica
Beryl Feldspar Mica
Mica Star
XML for Import into INSIGHT
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<material name="Mica" descrip="" searchkey="Isinglass, Muscovite, Biotite, Phlogopite" loi="0.00" casnumber="12001-26-2">
<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="LOI" name="Loss on Ignition" percent="4.500" tolerance=""/>
</volatiles>
</material> | 
The future of ceramic recipe, material and physical testing record keeping is here.
Maintain your recipe database on-line
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Imports many file formats
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Learn more..
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