Novacite Silica 1

Alternate Names: Whetstone

Description: Microcrystalline Novaculite

Oxide	Analysis	Formula
CaO	0.01%	0.18
MgO	0.02%	0.51
TiO2	0.01%	0.13
Al2O3	0.10%	1.00
SiO2	99.49%
Fe2O3	0.04%	0.26
Oxide Weight		101,663.40
Formula Weight		101,663.40

Notes

NovaciteÂ® is a quartz silica unique in the extender/filler market. Graded by micron size, the individual, unagglomerated particles tend toward a platey structure, which promotes superior leveling, meshing and wear-resistance in many performance applications.

Mined and processed in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA. The product is a "rotted", or powdered form of Novaculite mineral. It is also known as Arkansas Whetstone because it is a massive white quartz rock used to make whetstones for sharpening knives.

According to the Arkansas Geological Commission it is "a sedimentary rock composed mostly of microcrystalline quartz and is a recrystallized variety of chert. It is dense, hard, white to grayish-black in color, translucent on thin edges, and has a dull to waxy luster.".

Typical applications other than ceramics include casting resins, potting compounds, molding compounds, abrasive medium (wet blasting), latex paints.

Color (Dry): White
Color (Wet): Grey
Particle Shape (1-7 microns): Platey (over 7 microns): Clusters
Specific Heat (mean 0-200C): 192 cal/g/degree C
Surface Modification: Very Receptive

Related Information

Emeralds Mix

Links

URLs	http://www.state.ar.us/agc/novaculi.htm Arkansas Geological Commission
URLs	http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/history/nova/novaculite.htm Geology information
URLs	http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/history/quarry_pic.html Quarry pictures
URLs	http://www.thomasregister.com/olc/malvernminerals/page2.htm Malvern Minerals Product page
URLs	http://www.thomasregister.com/olc/malvernminerals/page2.htm Malvern Minerals Product Page
Typecodes	Silica/Quartz Quartz is very abundant and there are many grades and name brands.

Data

Density, loose packed (lbs/cu fut)	50 lbs/cubic foot
Hardness (Moh)	7
Index of Refraction	1.55
Oil Adsorption (Spatula)	17-20%
Particle Shape (1-7 microns)	Platey (over 7 microns): Clusters
Sieve Analysis Dry	Percent finer that 74 microns: 99 53 microns: 98 44 microns: 93-98 10 microns: 36 Average parti
Density (Specific Gravity)	2.65
pH for dry powder	6.0-7.8

By Tony Hansen
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