Australian Spodumene

Alternate Names: Ausi Spodumene, Ausi Spod

Oxide	Analysis	Formula
Li2O	7.60%	0.98
K2O	0.08%	-
Na2O	0.15%	0.01
P2O5	0.17%	-
CaO	0.05%	-
SiO2	64.50%	4.12
Fe2O3	0.07%	-
MnO	0.02%	-
Al2O3	26.50%	1.00
TiO2	0.01%	-
LOI	0.20%	n/a
Oxide Weight		380.77
Formula Weight		381.54

Notes

Australian spodumenes are considered the whitest in the world.

The material features [Si2O6]3- chains bonded together by lithium and aluminium ions. It is a monoclinic pyroxene in the form of long tabular, prismatic crystals.

Beta-spodumene (formed at 1082C) has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion, about 1 x 10-6/°C for the range 25°C to 1000°C.

Related Information

Here is why Spodumene powder glistens in the light

Spodumene ceramic grade, used in glazes, is a 200 mesh material. How could the particles be big enough to glisten in the light? This is a micrograph of some of the particles from the 0.6% plus 100 mesh material that I extracted in a particle size distribution test. And 8% is plus 200 mesh. And all that material is flakey like this, millions of tiny mirrors. This also explains why the material becomes airborne so easily and why it is really really not good to breathe this stuff in.

Links

URLs	http://www.amalgamet.com/Products/minerals.htm Description of material
Materials	Foote Spodumene
Materials	Spodumene Spodumene is a lithium sourcing feldspar, an alternative to lithium carbonate to supply Li2O to ceramic glazes. Contains up to about 8% Li2O.
Materials	Spodumene Concentrate
Materials	CGS 3.1 Spodumene
Materials	SC 1.1 Spodumene
Materials	SC 1.2 Spodumene
Materials	UGS Spodumene
Materials	FSC 2.1 Spodumene
Materials	SC7.0 Spodumene
Typecodes	Feldspar The most common source of fluxes for high and medium temperature glazes and bodies.

Data

Hardness (Moh)	6-5-7
Frit Softening Point	1420C
Density (Specific Gravity)	3.2

By Tony Hansen
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