TECHNICAL REFERENCE

Biotite: physical & chemical properties

Reference properties from PNR’s published material information. Confirm the required properties with our team for the specific grade and application.

Chemical Properties
Chemical Formaula : K(Mg3,Fe)3(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2
Composition : Molecular Weight = 433.53 gm

Element Element %Symbol Compound % Compound
Potassium 09.02 %K 10.86 % K2O
Magnesium14.02 %Mg 23.24 % Mg2O
Aluminium06.22 %Al 11.76 % Al2O3
Iron06.44 %Fe 8.29 % FeO
Silicon19.44 %Si 41.58 % SiO2
Hydrogen00.41 %H 03.64 % H2O
Oxygen43.36 %O--
Fluorine1.10 %F 1.10 % F
--F -0.46 % -O=F2

Empirical Formaula : KMg2.5Fe+20.5AlSi3O10(OH)1.75F0.25
Environment : Granitic rocks. Forms a series with phlogopite. Has several polytypes (1M, 3T, 2M1). Biotite
is now a group name for phlogopite, siderophyllite and eastonite.
IMA Status : Not Approved IMA 1998 - Bitote is now the group name
Physical Properties
Cleavage : {001} Perfect
Color : Dark brown, Greenish brown, Blackish brown, Yellow, White.
Density : 2.8 - 3.4, Average = 3.09
Diaphaneity : Transparent to translucent to opaque
Fracture : Uneven - Flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern.
Hardness : 2.5-3 - Finger Nail-Calcite
Luminescence : Non-fluorescent
Luster : Vitreous - Pearly
Streak : Gray
Electron Density : Bulk Density (Electron Density)=3.07 gm/cc
note: Specific Gravity of Biotite =3.10 gm/cc.
Photoelectric : PEBiotite = 4.04 barns/electron
U=PEBiotite x relectron= 12.42 barns/cc.

LET’S FIND YOUR MICA SOLUTION

Your specification.
Our starting point.

Discuss your requirement