Biotite

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This shows the three planes of biotite;

notice the thin sheets.

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Human hand cut from biotite,

Hopewell Mound Group, Ohio, USA.

The Hopewell culture lived 200 BCE to 500 CE.

Biotite is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

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If heated, vermiculite expands to many times its initial volume.

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Vermiculite is found in igneous rock in which groundwater altered the

biotite to vermiculite.

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Vermiculite is used in lightweight concrete, fireproofing, and other

industrial applications.

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Vermiculite is used in potting soil and for

seedlings.

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Expanded vermiculite insulation is pebble-like, and light gold to brown colored. Dusty!

It is a pour-in product. If you walked into the attic in this picture, and stepped between the boards, your foot would sink in and lots of dust would be in the air.

Expanded vermiculite attic insulation was mined and manufactured in Libby, Montana until 1990. The vermiculite vein also contained asbestos, which resulted in contaminated product.

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Vermiculite from other mines is safe.

Vermiculite is extremely useful in

construction.

Ground gypsum and vermiculite (biotite) are pressed into inch-think sheets of fire-resistant wallboard,also known as sheetrock or drywall.

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Vermiculite is used in fire-resistant wallboard.

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Hammered copper lamp with mica shade, c. 1915.

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Mica light fixture in modern bathroom.

Mica is a filler for paint and wallpaper.

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Mica is used as a paint extender, and to improve the texture of the paint.

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Mica-based lubricant is good

for ballistic products and

bicycle chains.

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Mica powder keeps rubber and asphalt goods from sticking to one another.

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Micas provide the sparkle in toothpaste.

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Biotite

by-nc-sa: lore

media rights

Many of the photos in this presentation were obtained through Flickr and Wikipedia.

Funded by FIPSE and by the University of Minnesota. Compiled for Dr. Kent Kirkby, Department of Geology and Geophysics, by Kate Rosok, 2007. Each displayed image

retains its original media rights. For educational purposes only; not to be used commercially.

public domain (none)

© Copyright. All rights reserved

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