White Mica Powder
White Mica Powder is a pearlescent powder pigment that yields a satin white colour, ideal for backgrounds and seascapes. We can also use a little amount of mica powder in order to lighten darker micas. Mica Powder in different forms is acquired by grinding and exfoliating mica flakes, which is a slow, expensive and extremely complicated process. The process of mica powder formation is tough mainly because it is having a plate-like structure and delamination of flakes.
[Image will be uploaded soon]
Facts About Mica Powder
Mica powders are:
Composed from muscovite flakes coated with ultramarines, iron oxides and organic dyes
Cosmetic grade natural mineral pigments that contain a wonderful shimmer and metallic-like appearance.
Completely non-toxic, ethically sourced, vegan ( NO crushed beetles) and are cruelty-free,
Contains millions of light-reflecting particles that form appealing shiny effects in all kinds of arts, crafts and cosmetics.
Pure white mica powder is free from "fillers" and thus have pure pearly colour
Is also available in delicate pastels to vibrant and bold shades
Is a raw material which is perfectly safe to use in cosmetics (skin, lips, eyes)
What is a White Mica?
White mica is a finely-grained (coarse) version of any of the silicate minerals i.e.— muscovite, paragonite, or talc. White mica denotes a group of dioctahedral sheet silicates that are usually formed in low-grade metamorphic and hydrothermally reworked rocks. This substitution results in white mica in addition to compositions transitional from muscovite to celadonite, which is often referred to as phengite or phengitic white mica.
Top Tips To Use Mica Powder
Intermix: With mica powders, you can create any colour under the sun
Quantity in Resin: Mica powder being inert allows you to pretty much use as much as you like. It doesn't affect the chemicals that induce resin and hardener to cure.
Dust into Moulds: Use a soft-bristled craft brush in order to dust mica powder inside silicone moulds before making resin candles and castings. This will provide a more balanced shimmer effect.
Soap & Bath: The mineral is just perfect for CP & M&P soap makers. However it is not soluble in water, therefore to make bath bombs you will need to add Polysorbate 80.
Refer to the table below for complete information on mica and white mica powder.
Physical and Chemical Composition and Properties of White Mica
Mica Reserves in India
India is the foremost supplier of mica mineral to the world with major reserves in:-
Andhra Pradesh (41%)
Rajasthan (21%)
Odisha (20%)
Maharashtra (15%)
Bihar (2%)
Jharkhand (Below 1%)
Mica Production and Distribution in India
India bears a near monopoly when it comes to the production of mica [60 % of the world’s total] With
Andhra Pradesh (1st in production [93 %]).
Rajasthan (2nd in production [6.3 %]).
Jharkhand (3rd in production).
Mica Exports
India is by far the largest exporter of mica. Certain grades of Indian mica are and will continue to be vital to the world’s electrical industries. Major exports of white mica are executed through Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports.
Fun Facts
White mica and most Mica have a high refractive index (higher than sparkle) and even excellent chemical, mechanical and thermal stability.
Made from natural minerals, mica powder contains a small micron size (giving great cover and diffusion, and the all-significant shimmer)
you only require a little amount of mica powder in order to create lustrous effects.
Can be used in art, resin, nail polish, car paint card-making, calligraphy, body butter/wax, oil, face products and cosmetics such as eye shadow, blushers and lip products.
You can mix micas to create new shades
India is one of the top suppliers of mica to the world.
Mica-carrying igneous rocks form in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan.
Significant imports of Indian mica are Japan (19%), United States (17%), and the United Kingdom etc.
FAQs on White Mica
1. What is white mica?
White mica is a general term for a group of light-coloured, dioctahedral sheet silicate minerals. The most common type is Muscovite, but it can also include paragonite. It is characterised by its perfect basal cleavage, which allows it to be split into thin, flexible, and often transparent sheets. Geologically, it typically forms in low-grade metamorphic rocks like schist and hydrothermally altered rocks.
2. What are the key physical and chemical properties of white mica?
White mica, primarily Muscovite, exhibits several important properties that make it commercially valuable. Key properties include:
- Perfect Cleavage: It splits easily into thin, flat, transparent sheets.
- Flexibility and Elasticity: The thin sheets can be bent and will return to their original shape.
- Lustre: It has a pearly to vitreous (glassy) shine.
- Insulation: It is an excellent electrical and thermal insulator, meaning it does not conduct electricity or heat well.
- Chemical Inertness: It is stable and does not react with most acids or chemicals.
3. How is white mica formed in nature?
White mica forms under specific geological conditions through processes like metamorphism and crystallisation from magma. It is a common mineral in metamorphic rocks such as schists and gneisses, where it develops as clay minerals are subjected to increased pressure and temperature. It also forms directly from magma in felsic igneous rocks like granites and pegmatites. Additionally, it can be a product of hydrothermal alteration, where hot, water-rich fluids alter existing minerals.
4. What are the major industrial uses of white mica?
Due to its unique properties, white mica has a wide range of industrial applications. The most significant uses are:
- Electronics: As an electrical insulator in capacitors, transistors, and other electronic components.
- Construction: As a filler and extender in joint compounds, cement, and asphalt to prevent cracking and improve workability.
- Paints and Coatings: Ground mica is added to paints to enhance brightness, prevent weathering, and reduce chalking.
- Plastics and Rubber: Used as a reinforcing filler to improve the thermal and electrical properties of plastics.
- Cosmetics: Finely ground mica adds a natural shimmer and glitter to products like eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick.
5. Why is white mica considered an excellent electrical insulator?
White mica's excellence as an electrical insulator stems from its chemical and crystalline structure. Its composition as a silicate with strong ionic bonds means there are no free electrons to carry an electrical current. This high dielectric strength allows it to withstand very high voltages without breaking down, making it an indispensable material for manufacturing capacitors and high-voltage electrical equipment where preventing current leakage is critical.
6. What is the main difference between white mica (Muscovite) and black mica (Biotite)?
The primary difference between white mica (Muscovite) and black mica (Biotite) lies in their chemical composition. Muscovite is a potassium and aluminium silicate, which is why it is light-coloured or transparent. In contrast, Biotite contains significant amounts of iron and magnesium in its structure. The presence of iron is what gives Biotite its characteristic dark brown to black colour and makes it less transparent and less suitable for high-frequency electrical applications compared to Muscovite.
7. How does the perfect cleavage of white mica influence its applications?
The perfect basal cleavage is perhaps white mica's most defining characteristic, allowing it to be split into uniform, thin, and flexible sheets. This structural property is directly responsible for its most important applications. For instance, these thin, transparent, and heat-resistant sheets are used as viewing windows in high-temperature furnaces and kerosene heaters. In electronics, this property allows for the creation of thin, insulating layers between components, which would be impossible with brittle materials.
8. Where are the major deposits of white mica found in India?
India is one of the world's leading producers of sheet mica. The major deposits of high-quality white mica are concentrated in a few key regions. The most famous is the Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt, which stretches across Jharkhand and Bihar. Other significant deposits are found in the Nellore mica belt in Andhra Pradesh and in several districts of Rajasthan. These regions are known for producing some of the finest Muscovite mica in the world.
