The Importance of Mica in Automotive Paints
A group of parallel cleavages can be seen in a photograph of biomica under orthogonal polarized (left) and single polarized (right) mirrors.
For example, the safe operation of high-speed rail cannot be separated from the escort of mica products.
Pearl pigments have a rich history that dates back centuries. Originally derived from the mother-of-pearl found in shells of mollusks, these pigments were used in ancient cultures for their reflective qualities. The iridescence seen in natural pearls inspired artisans to create vibrant pigments that emulate this beauty. Today, pearl pigments are synthesized from various materials, including mica and other minerals, to achieve a spectrum of colors and lustrous finishes. This innovation has made them more accessible and versatile than ever before.
It is an indispensable and important raw material in the fields of electric heating equipment, wire and cable, aerospace and so on.
Take pearlescent pigments as an example, pearlescent pigments are a class of pigments with pearl luster, which are deposited on the substrate (generally natural mica, synthetic mica, glass sheet and other sheet-like materials) above a layer or alternately deposited multiple layers of metal oxides or non-metallic oxides and formed a flat sandwich body with a structure similar to sandwich. Due to the difference in refractive index between the substrate and the oxide deposited on its surface and each oxide, when the light shines on the surface of the pearlescent pigment, the incident light will be refracted and reflected at the interface of each layer of the pearlescent pigment, and the color of the pearlescent pigment that people see is the result of the superposition of light after multiple refractions and reflections of the light, that is, the interference phenomenon of light.
What is Mica Powder?
For DIY enthusiasts, there are many resources available, including online tutorials and workshops, to help them learn how to use pearl pigments effectively. It’s worth noting, however, that achieving a professional-looking finish can take practice and may require the right equipment.
One of the most prominent substitutes for mica powder is natural colorants derived from plants and other organic materials. For example, beetroot powder offers a rich, vibrant red hue, while spirulina provides a striking blue-green tone. Turmeric is another excellent option, producing a bright yellow color. These natural pigments are not only visually appealing but also offer added benefits, such as being biodegradable and safer for the environment.
In addition, lepidolite and ferrolepidolite can also be used as mineral raw materials for extracting lithium.
Later, with the development of science and technology, people gradually realized that mica minerals have high insulation, high temperature resistance, strong acid and alkali resistance, and mica also began to enter building materials, fire, plastics, paper, rubber, pearlite pigments and other industries. These are mainly Muscovite and phlogopite.
The mica industry is undergoing profound changes. With the help of emerging industries, the mica industry will be a large market of more than 10 billion.
Mica is a very common rock-forming mineral, widely distributed in crystalline rocks. Its general chemical formula can be expressed as:
The common characteristics of mica group minerals are: layered silicate minerals, monoclinic crystal system, a few trigonal crystal system, the crystals are pseudo-hexagonal columnar, plate and sheet; The aggregate is scaly and foliaceous. It has a set of extremely complete cleavage, along which it is easy to peel into sheets. Therefore, the shape of mica is usually regarded as sheet.