Muscovite Mica (Flake, d50 120µm)

Muscovite mica is a naturally occurring potassium aluminosilicate mineral with a perfect basal cleavage that produces extremely thin, large-area hexagonal flakes. With a median particle size of 120 µm and aspect ratios typically exceeding 30:1, muscovite mica flakes provide outstanding barrier properties, dimensional stability, and surface aesthetics when properly oriented in composite systems.

The high aspect ratio platelets of muscovite mica create a tortuous-path barrier in polymer matrices, significantly reducing the permeation of water, oxygen, and corrosive gases. This makes mica an exceptional filler for chemical-resistant coatings, marine topcoats, and anti-corrosion primers, where long-term protection against osmotic blistering and corrosion undercutting is required. The coarse flake size (120 µm) provides maximum barrier efficiency for the platelet size while remaining dispersible in standard mixing equipment.

In structural composites, mica's platelet orientation parallel to the molding direction produces a reinforcing layer structure that reduces shrinkage, improves in-plane stiffness, and provides excellent sound and vibration damping. Mica is also electrically insulating (dielectric constant ~6–8) and can withstand temperatures up to 700°C (muscovite), making it suitable for high-temperature electrical insulation composites and fire barriers.