vermiculite

ver·mic·u·lite

V0065100 (vər-mĭk′yə-līt′)n. Any of a group of micaceous hydrated silicate minerals related to the chlorites and used in heat-expanded form as insulation and as a planting medium.

[Latin vermiculus, diminutive of vermis, worm; see vermicular + -ite.]

vermiculite

(vɜːˈmɪkjʊˌlaɪt) n (Minerals) any of a group of micaceous minerals consisting mainly of hydrated silicate of magnesium, aluminium, and iron: on heating they expand and exfoliate and in this form are used in heat and sound insulation, fireproofing, and as a bedding medium for young plants[C19: from vermicul(ar) + -ite¹]

ver•mic•u•lite

(vərˈmɪk yəˌlaɪt)

n. any of a group of platy minerals, hydrous silicates of aluminum, magnesium, and iron, that expand markedly on being heated: used for insulation and as a plant growth medium. [1815–25, Amer.; vermicul (ar) + -ite¹]

Thesaurus

Noun

vermiculite - any of a group of yellow or brown hydrous silicate minerals having a micaceous structuremineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition

Vermiculite

vermiculite

[vər′mik·yə‚līt] (mineralogy) (Mg,Fe,Al)₃(Al,Si)₄O₁₀(OH)₂·4H₂O A clay mineral constituent similar to chlorite and montmorillonite, and consisting of trioctahedral mica sheets separated by double water layers; sometimes used as a textural material in painting, or as an aggregate in certain plaster formulations used in sculpture.

Vermiculite

A generic name for treated minerals which are used for insulation and fire protection, often as an aggregate in plaster or concrete.

Vermiculite

a mineral of the hydromica group with a schistous structure and additional interlaminate molecular water. Upon heating, small vermiform rods are formed from the layers of vermiculite. Chemical composition corresponds approximately to the formula Mg_x(Mg, Fe)_{3 x}[AlSi₃ O₁₀] · (OH)₂ · 4H₂O. It crystallizes in a monoclinic system and forms laminated aggregates or large laminated crystals of a golden yellow or brown color. Hardness on the mineralogical scale, 1-1.5; density, 2400-2700 kg/m³. It is not susceptible to pulverization and is similar to graphite in lubricating qualities.

When heated to a temperature of 900-1000° C, vermiculite swells (as a result of flaking of particles under the influence of evaporating interlaminate water), with an increase in volume of 15-20 times. Interlayers of air arising between the scaly layers of the mineral cause low density and high heat-and sound-insulating properties of exfoliated vermiculite. Vermiculite is a product of secondary change in dark micas (biotite and phlogopite). Commercial deposits of vermiculite in the USSR are known on the Kola Peninsula (Murmansk Oblast) and in the Urals (Cheliabinsk Oblast); and abroad, in the USA (Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Georgia) and in western Australia. Vermiculite is used in construction for the manufacture of heat-insulating products, sound-absorbing materials, lightweight concrete, and plastering solutions; as a filler in rubber, plastic, paints, chemical pesticides; in the manufacture of antifriction materials; and in agriculture, to improve soil structure.

vermiculite

vermiculated work A natural mica expanded by heat(i.e., exfoliated) to form lightweight thermal insulating

vermiculite

ver·mic·u·lite

vermiculite

ver•mic•u•lite

Vermiculite

vermiculite

Vermiculite

Vermiculite

vermiculite

vermiculite

Words related to vermiculite

noun any of a group of yellow or brown hydrous silicate minerals having a micaceous structure

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