Mica-aluminum silicate minerals.
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Anyone of a group of hydrous aluminum silicate minerals with platy morphology and perfect basal (micaceous) cleavage. The most common micas are muscovite [KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2], paragonite [NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2], phlogopite [K(Mg,Fe)3 (AlSi3O10)(OH)2], biotite [K(Fe,Mg)3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2], and lepidolite [K(Li,Al)2.5-3.0(Al1.0-0.5Si3.0-3.5O10)(OH)2]. Calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), rubidium (Rb), and cesium (Cs) can substitute for sodium (Na) and potassium (K); manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and titanium (Ti) for magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and lithium (Li); and fluorine (F) for hydroxyl (OH). The three major species, muscovite, biotite, and phlogopite, are widely distributed rock-forming minerals, occurring as essential constituents in a variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and in many mineral deposits.Mica is commonly found as small flakes or lamellar plates without a crystal outline. Muscovite and biotite sometimes occur in thick books, tabular prisms with a hexagonal outline that can be up to several feet across. The prominent basal cleavage is a consequence of the layered crystal structure. Thin cleavage sheets of micas, particularly muscovite and phlogopite, are flexible, elastic, tough, and translucent to transparent (isinglass). They have low electrical and thermal conductivity and high dielectric strength. Micas have Mohs hardnesses of 2–3 and specific gravities of 2.8–3.2. Upon heating in a closed tube, they evolve water. They have a vitreous-to-pearly luster. Muscovite is colorless to pale shades of brown, green, or gray. Paragonite is colorless to pale yellow. Phlogopite is pale yellow to brown. Biotite is dark green, brown, or black. Lepidolite is most often pale lilac, but it can also be colorless, pale yellow, or pale gray. See also Biotite; Hardness scales. Commercial mica is of two main types: sheet, and scrap or flake. Sheet muscovite, mostly from pegmatites, is used as a dielectric in capacitors and vacuum tubes in electronic equipment. Lower-quality muscovite is used as an insulator in home electrical products such as hot plates, toasters, and irons. Scrap and flake mica is ground for use in coatings on roofing materials and waterproof fabrics, and in paint, wallpaper, joint cement, plastics, cosmetics, well drilling products, and a variety of agricultural products. See also Capacitor; Electric insulator; Silicate minerals.
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