• Home
• |
• About Us
• |
• Products
• |
• What is MICA
• |
• Application
• |
• Contact

• Micanite
• Mica Scrap
• Mica Shields
• Mica Discs
• Mica Insulators
• Mica Spacers
• Wrapper Mica
• Corrugated Mica
• Window Mica

What is Mica

A natural occurring mineral that is based on a collection of silicate minerals and composed of varying amounts of potassium, iron, aluminum, magnesium and water is Mica. It is found having thin-sheet like or plate-like structure with various composition and physical properties. Mica forms flat six-sided monoclinic crystals along with an extraordinary split in the direction of larger surfaces. This allows the mineral to be easily cleaved into optically flat films. High in silica, this stone has the extensive capacity to remain elastic and tough even at high temperatures. This helps the people to handle and work with the stone in those places with high and humid temperatures.

A superior insulator and a biaxial birefringent crystal, Mica possesses average refractive index and its visible spectrum is about 1.6. Due to this nature Mica can be used to cause a point delay between two orthogonal elements of an input linear polarization and therefore can also be used as a retardation device. However, the birefringence is not constant and because of this very reason the optical and physical thickness will vary. It has the absorption of 2 to 5% in the perceptible range. The best part is Mica can resist nearly all mediums like chemicals, acids, gasses, alkalis, and oils.

Uses of mica?

Mica is a naturally occurring stone that directly applies to a set of minerals containing silica in its highest form. This mineral is mostly used in gypsum wallboard combined compound where it acts as wadding and prevents cracking. There are a variety of uses of this mineral such as:

• It is used in paints as a pigment extender and also helps to brighten the tone of colored pigments
• In the electrical industry the same as thermal insulation, and electrical insulators in electronic equipment
• Its shiny and glittery appearance makes it ultimate for toothpaste and cosmetics
• The high thermal resistance allows it to be used as an insulator in various electronics
• MICA SHIELDS or Gauge Glass Mica can be used to secure the liquid level gauges from corrosive and acidic solutions.

The highest level of silica content in it makes it the most preferred mineral to be used in various industries and also for other personal uses. It is invariably used for fillers, extenders along with providing smoother uniformity, improving workability and prevents cracking. This can be used as an insulator in home attics, concrete blocks and also poured into open top walls. It can also be added to grease to increase its durability and giving it a better surface. Mica can also be used as a soil conditioner particularly in potting soil mixes and in gardening plots.

Properties of Mica

Mica belongs to a very important and rather large group of minerals that are highly suitable for several applications. However, its advanced properties make it highly suitable for use in various places. These are:

• Physical: Mica is translucent, easily split into thin films along its cleavage, optically flat, colorless in thin sheets, elastic and incompressible.
• Chemical: It is a compound hydrous silicate of aluminum, which also contains iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium fluorine, lithium and also few traces of numerous other elements. It is constant and entirely static to the action of water, acids (except for hydrofluoric and concentrated sulphur), alkalies, conventional solvents, bases, and oil. It remains almost unchanged by atmospheric action.
• Electrical: Mica has the exclusive combination of uniform dielectric steadiness, capacitance stability, enormous dielectric power, high Q factor and lower power loss, high electrical resistance and low temperature coefficient. It is highly regarded for its resistances to arc and corona discharge without causing any lasting injury.
• Thermal: It is highly fire proof, incombustible, non- flammable, infusible, and also can resist temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius/1832 degrees Fahrenheit. However this depends on the type and variety of Mica used. It has excellent thermal stability, lower heat conductivity, and can be easily exposed to high temperatures without visible effect.
• Mechanical: Mica is highly tough, having high tensile strength, elastic, and along with being flexible. It has immense compression power and can be machined, die-punched, or hand cut.

Mica from India

The best known fact is Mica is produced in vast proportions in India. In reality, India is one of the foremost suppliers of mica to the world. Our country single-handedly accounts for a large portion of the world`s export of mica splitting and block mica. As it is known, Mica can endure high temperature because it is a bad conductor of electricity. Furthermore, it can also be ripping up into thin films. These unrivalled properties of mica have in fact made it vital for the production of numerous electrical equipments. India produces estimated 90 % of the world`s mica and accounts for 60 % of mica that embarks in international trade. It is also an indispensable part of the electrical industry.
This helps the companies in the worldwide market to increase their business and meet to the demands of their clientele. Interesting fact is that maximum part of Mica is manufactured in India as per its demand in the world wide market. However, the demands are stringently and easily met before the deadline because India is the core hub of exporting Mica as its availability is stretched all over various corners of the country.