Natural Mica

The mica group of sheet silicate minerals include closely related materials having perfect basal cleavage. Mica occurs in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary forms. It has extraordinary physical, thermal and electrical features, which makes it a sought after product. Our organization, Ruby Mica has more than three decades of experience of this domain and are manufacturing, exporting and supplying superior quality mica based electro-thermal insulating materials.

Physical Properties

Mica group represents 37 phyllosilicate minerals that have a layered texture. It can be easily split into thin films along its cleavage. Crystalline structure of mica forms layers can be split into sheet causing foliation in rocks. These sheets are flexible, insulating, refractive, chemically inert and dielectric. Mica is not affected by moisture, light and extreme temperatures.

Electrical Properties

As an insulator and dielectric it posses superior electrical properties. It has a distinct amalgamation of uniform dielectric-constant, high electrical-resistivity, dielectric-strength and low temperature-coefficient. Muscovite mica is widely used by the electrical industry in capacitors of high frequency and radio frequency devices. Mica is preferred as it maintains its dielectric properties, when exposed to an oxidizing action of electrical discharges. It can be split in to thin films, while maintaining its electrical properties.

Thermal Properties

Mica is used in applications, in which combination of electrical properties and high-heat stability is required. Even at higher temperature (900⁰C), phlogopite mica remains stable. It is preferred due its thermal properties such as incombustible and fires resistance and are not affected by temperatures of 600C to 900C (1112F to 1652F) which varies for the different varieties. Thermally stable at 500C, is resistant to corona discharge and has low heat-conductivity.

Mechanical Properties

Mica is mechanically stable in micrometer(thin sheets), as it is not affected by radiation and therefore used in windows of radiation detectors. Due to its unique mechanical properties it can be punched, cut, stamped and machined. As it can withstand high mechanical pressure and strength it is used as a reinforcing material.

Chemical Properties

Mica is complex hydrous silicate of aluminium that contains magnesium, potassium, sodium fluorine, lithium, and iron and also several other elements. It's stable and completely inert to the action of water, acids (except concentrated sulphuric and hydro-fluoric) alkalis, oils, conventional solvents and is not affected by any atmospheric changes.