China is the first country in the world to synthesize large mica crystals.

A few years ago, researchers from the Synthetic Mica Research Group of the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, used industrial methods to produce a large and complete piece of fluorophlogopite. of synthetic mica large crystals.

Mica, commonly known as Melaleuca, is composed of many thin, tough and elastic sheets. It has a glossy, shimmering surface, and each piece of mica is linked by potassium ions to form a peelable layer of mica. It has excellent insulating properties, is an ideal insulating and dielectric material, and is an indispensable material for the development of the electronics industry.

There are many uses of mica, mainly to make mica ceramics (made by combining with glass), and also to make mica powder, which is used as filler in paints and coatings.

Due to the uneven distribution of natural mica and the lack of abundant mineral sources, the mined mica often contains impurities and has a small area, which affects industrial use. Therefore, the research on artificial synthesis of mica is promoted.

As early as a hundred years ago, all countries in the world were working on the synthesis of mica. After a period of hard work, only small crystals of mica could be synthesized. Later, Chinese scientists also carried out artificial synthesis of mica. In the synthesis work, Chinese scientists and technicians overcame many difficulties and quickly synthesized a kind of fluorophlogopite, which is easier to grow than other mica crystals. So a macroscopic and complete large piece of fluorophlogopite was born in our country.

Synthetic mica is similar in appearance to natural mica. Like natural mica, it can be peeled off into slices, but its properties are far superior to natural mica.

The high temperature resistance of synthetic mica is much better than that of natural mica. When the natural mica is heated, when the temperature exceeds 500 to 600 degrees Celsius, it decomposes and releases gas, making the mica opaque. If the temperature rises again, the mica becomes brittle and shatters when touched, which limits the application of high temperature. . And synthetic mica, because of its strong binding force between ions, it can withstand high temperature. When it is subjected to a high temperature of one thousand degrees Celsius, the performance is unchanged, thus expanding the range of use.

Because synthetic mica is flat, transparent and resistant to high temperature, it can be used in water level gauges of high pressure boilers. And because it can transmit infrared, ultraviolet and microwave radiation, it can also be used as a special window material that transmits infrared, ultraviolet and microwave radiation.