Mica, a chemically complex mineral, is an important electrical insulating material with the added advantage of high resistance to high temperatures. Besides, it is flexible, tough, transparent and chemically stable. Mica has low head conductivity coupled with great dielectric strength.
The two varieties of mica that are commercially important are Muscovite mica and Phlogopite mica. While Muscovite is a hydrous potassium aluminium silicate, Phlogopite is a hydrous magnesium aluminum silicate.
Mica powder is the result of a fine-grinding process. Mica flakes is ground and crushed well to obtain the resultant mica powder. There are two dominant processes of getting mica powder, one being wet grinding and the other being dry grinding.
We are following specially designed grinding process to gain the finest grains. We have the capacity to supply coarser to super fine grades from 18 mesh to 500 mesh (up to 25 Micron). We use Allgaier tumbler screening to produce particle sizes as per customer’s choice.
Mica Powder is used in a lot of industries ranging from electronics, paints, plastics to cosmetics.
Muscovite Mica is extensively used as a pigment extender and filler in various paints and coatings. It is a tough, flexible and transparent mineral that can be ground to less than a micron sieve mesh. The platy structure of mica reinforces a protective coating in paints. The addition of mica facilitates suspension, reduces cracking and peeling, prevents shrinking and shearing of the paint film, increases resistance of the paint film to moisture penetration and atmospheric weathering, augments performance and brightens the tone of colored pigments. Utilization of mica in paints is universally well established for its functional properties.
Mica Powder for Rubber & Tyres
It is used as an inert filler in rubber products. The use of mica helps to increase the hardness, tensile strength and tear resistance of rubber products. It improves the resilience and appearance of rubber articles. When used as a lubricant, mica particles form a continuous uniform film which effectively prevents undesirable adhesion of the rubber compounds to itself or the molding surface. As a rubber compounding agent mica prevents massing and reduces gas penetration.
It is used as a base in the moulding and tumbling of latex, synthetic foam and hose-pipes. The use of mica in the said applications is to eliminate the tendency to shrink. At the same time it helps to improve resistance in the sponge rubber goods. The use of mica permits expansion of the rubber in the mould during blowing without sticking.
It is further used as a high temperature lubricant and flame-proof insulation for the manufacture and coating of PVC flexible insulating wires and cables. It is suitably used for both natural and specially colored rubber articles, such as, bathing caps, costumes, toys, balloons, etc. The mica particles provide an attractive glossy-finish, as well as, a bright and sparkling appearance to rubber articles.
Mica Powder is a highly useful component as an anti-sticking and anti-blocking compound in the production of rubber tyres for automobiles, motor bikes and airplanes. Applied as a dusting and releasing agent, it prevents the inner rubber and casings of tyres from sticking to the mould during vulcanization. Mica prevents movement of sulphur while permitting air and moisture to escape during curing and creating a uniform structure. As a rubber additive and filler, mica improves resilience, hardness, tensile strength and tear resistance of rubber articles.
High-aspect-ratio muscovite mica is widely used as a reinforcing filler and extender in composite plastic systems because of its functional, morphological and surface characteristics. The addition of mica in plastic polymer compounds improves its material properties significantly, such as, higher heat deflection temperature, increase tensile and flexural strengths, reduce isotropic shrinkage and permeability, enhance the dielectric, heat resisting and insulating properties, better surface properties, etc. In fact, mica is an unique mineral which offers the multiple advantage of high-respect ratio, high thermal stability and multi-directional lateral reinforcement to composite plastic systems. Besides, mica also offers plastic compounders a potential substitute for more expensive fiberglass reinforcements. No other products provide such functional enhancement to a wide range of plastic polymer compounds as superior quality and excellent dimensional stability than mica.
Mica Powder is well recognized for use in the manufacture of welding electrodes as a flux coating on the metal wire. Mica is added to the flux with which welding electrodes are coated as arc stabilizers, weld pool protectors, fluxing agents, slag modifiers, binders, extrusion agents and pigments. Potassium also facilitates re-ignition of the welding rods after interruptions to the current. The Mica coating provides two distinct types of protection. Firstly, it serves in forming a fusible slag and a good seal at the fusion zone of the arc. Secondly, it resists the action of heat, gaseous and other surrounding atmospheric oxidation. In fact, it is the nature of mica coating that largely determines the quality of welding electrodes.
In power electronics, insulation is vital in ensuring reliability and efficiency. With a continuing trend towards greater integration, and increasing demand for faster performance, safety and protection is of paramount importance. As power electronics equipment becomes more streamlined and efficient, a material or component is required to perform more than one function. Durability and an integrated approach are key in ensuring the effectiveness of the entire system.
Significant volume of Mica Powder are used as a filler in light weight pre-fabricated gypsum wallboards, slabs and panels for building constructions. Mica is light in weight, fire-resistant, free-flowing, chemically inert and non-abrasive. Sound suppression, good thermal and insulation properties, dimensional stability and extremely low water absorption are some of its additional outstanding features. All these desirable characteristics makes mica an ideal and justified filler in plasterboard industry.
Mica Powder is a cost effective filler and extender in wallboard joint cement compounds. It is used for filling and finishing the joints, seams and blemishes on gypsum wallboard, between adjacent sheets and other structural constructions. Mica acts as a reinforcing agent improving the workability of compound by preventing cracking, eliminating peeling and reducing shrinkage. The wall surface is protected from moisture absorption since mica particles are insoluble and impenetrable by water. They also provide smooth edge and decorative texture of the wall surface.
Mica Powder is broadly used as a functional filler for plastic industries which provides reinforcement. Addition of mica results in high heat resistance, barrier to chemical attack, increased flexural strength and stiffness, extremely low water absorption, low shrinkage and coefficient of expansion, improves dielectric and surface properties of plastic composites. Consumption is suitably dominated in engineering thermoplastic commodities.
Fairly large tonnage of Mica Powder are used as an inert filler to asphalt and bituminous compositions. Applied as a surface coating to rolled asphalt roofing felt, shingles and damp coarses, mica increases hardness and resistance to mechanical stress and weathering. Mica prevents sticking of adjacent surfaces during manufacture and storage. The coating is not absorbed by freshly manufactured roofing because of the platy structure of mica. It imparts glistening appearance and enhances durability of the roofing product. As compared to other materials, the viability of mica is proven for the above purpose.
Mica Powder is extensively used as a filler in acoustic compounds in the manufacture of automotive components to control noise and insulate the heat generated by commercial vehicles for the comfort and well being of the driver and passengers. The advantages of anti-vibration, sound damping and heat protection utility of mica cannot be neglected. Besides, the addition of mica in acoustic products significantly improves the properties such as increased strength, stiffness and dimensional stability. It also reduces flammability and warping.
The most wide-spread application of Mica Powder is in automobiles. Mica is used as a reinforcing material in light weight plastic automobile parts such as fascia and fenders, car seat backs, panels and ignition systems. Mica-reinforced plastic imparts improved mechanical properties together with increased strength, rigidity and stiffness. It also provides high heat dimensional stability, temperature resistance, reduced warping and the best surface properties of any filled plastic composite.
Mica Powder is used as a friction material for asbestos-free brake lining, brake pads, brake shoes, brake discs, clutch facings, etc. Due to the high thermal resistance of mica, it reduces the flow of heat and helps to keep the brake drums cool. Mica particles are stronger than iron which serves to strengthen and solidify the product preventing microscopic ruptures and minimizing warping. Owing to platy structure of the mica, it tends to lock together under compression during processing to form an effective and superior surface. The benefit of mica is also recognized to curb noise and provide active environmental protection.
Mica Powder is essentially used and added in the formulation to keep the powder in dry fire extinguishers free flowing. Mica is fire-resistant and retains the powder mixture from packing tightly in the canister.
Mica Powder is used in the manufacture of insulating bricks, slabs, blocks and tiles because of its excellent thermal and insulating properties. Since mica bricks can safely withstand extreme temperatures of 1000°C, it keeps heat losses to minimum, minimizes energy consumption, reduces operating costs, enhances furnace efficiency and improves furnace room condition. An additional advantage of mica bricks is stability after long use.
