What Is Mica? - Mica Production Process | Asheville Mica Company

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About Mica

What is Mica?

Mica is a naturally occurring silicate mineral, and the mica group represents 37 phyllosilicate minerals that have a layered or platy texture. The commercially important micas are muscovite and phlogopite. Mica’s possess perfect basal cleavage, allowing crystals to be split into very thin sheets that are tough and flexible. Mica sheets are also transparent to opaque, resilient, reflective, refractive, dielectric, chemically inert, insulating, lightweight, and hydrophilic. Mica also is stable when exposed to electricity, light, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

Because of their perfect cleavage, flexibility and elasticity, infusibility, low thermal and electrical conductivity, and high dielectric strength, muscovite and phlogopite have found widespread application throughout industry , commerce and household goods. Mica provides an outstanding combination of chemical, physical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties which cannot found in any other insulating product. Learn more about our industrial mica production capabilities below!

View Mica Parts
  • Precision stamped high dielectric Natural Mica Washers

    Precision stamped high dielectric Natural Mica Washers

  • Mica composite coil supports - EMD

    Mica composite coil supports - EMD

  • Mica and glass cloth shims

    Mica and glass cloth shims

  • Mica electric motor hairpins and clips for rebuilds- EMD

    Mica electric motor hairpins and clips for rebuilds- EMD

  • Mica high temp hairpins for electric motors

    Mica high temp hairpins for electric motors

  • Mica splittings motor end ring - EMD

    Mica splittings motor end ring - EMD

  • Mica splittings with glass reinforcement

    Mica splittings with glass reinforcement

  • Round rolled mica high temp tubes

    Round rolled mica high temp tubes

  • Mica

    Mica "canoes" for rebuilding EMD motors

  • Precision stamped Mica Paper shapes

    Precision stamped Mica Paper shapes

  • Artisan quality Mica splittings plate sample kit, $20

    Artisan quality Mica splittings plate sample kit, $20

  • Built up Mica Paper Washers

    Built up Mica Paper Washers

  • raw 36

    raw 36" x 36" high temp high dielectric Mica splittings plate

  • Mica flake available in many sizes and colors

    Mica flake available in many sizes and colors

  • we can provide custom Mica gaskets to your specification

    we can provide custom Mica gaskets to your specification

  • We stock a large range of sizes for Stove Mica

    We stock a large range of sizes for Stove Mica

  • We can supply a vast array of Mica tubes

    We can supply a vast array of Mica tubes

  • we offer Custom Fabricated Mica Plate Parts

    we offer Custom Fabricated Mica Plate Parts

  • we provide custom Mica Plate Cover for Microwaves

    we provide custom Mica Plate Cover for Microwaves

  • Mica Plate Element Card

    Mica Plate Element Card

  • Mica Rolls for Induction Furnace Barrier

    Mica Rolls for Induction Furnace Barrier

  • Muscovite Mica Element Card

    Muscovite Mica Element Card

  • we can supply custom Phlogopite Mica Paper Barriers

    we can supply custom Phlogopite Mica Paper Barriers

  • Mica slides for Research

    Mica slides for Research

  • Mica Strainers used in Smelting Metals

    Mica Strainers used in Smelting Metals

  • Bulk Mica Washers

    Bulk Mica Washers

  • We stock large stained Mica

    We stock large stained Mica "windows"

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  • trimmed natural mica

    trimmed natural mica

  • Natural mica flakes various sizes and colors

    Natural mica flakes various sizes and colors

  • Built up thickness high temp mica washers

    Built up thickness high temp mica washers

  • Mica high dielectric washers in many sizes

    Mica high dielectric washers in many sizes

  • Natural mica flakes available in many colors

    Natural mica flakes available in many colors

  • High temp replacement stove mica panels

    High temp replacement stove mica panels

  • cut stove mica sheets various dimensions

    cut stove mica sheets various dimensions

  • Stained silver mica for lamp shades

    Stained silver mica for lamp shades

  • High dielectric mica washers

    High dielectric mica washers

  • Mica Transistor shields

    Mica Transistor shields

  • Research Mica slides

    Research Mica slides

  • Gold Mica Flake

    Gold Mica Flake

  • Silver Mica Flake

    Silver Mica Flake

  • we stock a large range of Mica Strainers

    we stock a large range of Mica Strainers

  • we stock hundred of different Mica Washers

    we stock hundred of different Mica Washers

  • 3

    3" x 5" Mica sheet for stove window

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Natural Mica

Technical grade sheet mica is used in electrical components, electronics, in atomic force microscopy and as window sheets. Mica is also used for diaphragms for oxygen-breathing equipment, marker dials for navigation compasses, optical filters, pyrometers, thermal regulators, stove and kerosene heater windows, radiation aperture covers for microwave ovens, and micathermic heater elements. Mica is birefringent and is therefore commonly used to make quarter and half wave plates. Specialized applications for sheet mica are found in aerospace components in air-, ground-, and sea-launched missile systems, laser devices, medical electronics and radar systems. Mica is mechanically stable in micrometer-thin sheets which are relatively transparent to radiation (such as alpha particles) while being impervious to most gases. It is therefore used as a window on radiation detectors such as Geiger-Müller tubes.

Sheet mica is used principally in the electronic and electrical industries. Its usefulness in these applications is derived from its unique electrical and thermal properties and its mechanical properties, which allow it to be cut, punched, stamped, and machined to close tolerances during the mica production process.

Specifically, mica is unusual in that it is a good electrical insulator at the same time as being a good thermal conductor. The leading use of block mica is as an electrical insulator in electronic equipment. High-quality block mica is processed to line the gauge glasses of high-pressure steam boilers because of its flexibility, transparency, and resistance to heat and chemical attack. Only high-quality muscovite film mica, which is variously called India ruby mica or ruby muscovite mica, is used as a dielectric in capacitors. The highest quality mica film is used to manufacture capacitors for calibration standards. The next lower grade is used in transmitting capacitors. Receiving capacitors use a slightly lower grade of high-quality muscovite.

Mica sheets are used to provide structure for heating wire (such as in Kanthal or Nichrome) in heating elements and can withstand up to 900 °C (1,650 °F).

Natural Mica Products PLAY
  • High temp punched mica gaskets are available to your spec

    High temp punched mica gaskets are available to your spec

  • Built up mica washers available in many sizes

    Built up mica washers available in many sizes

  • Built up mica washers with silicone

    Built up mica washers with silicone

  • Punched mica paper parts

    Punched mica paper parts

  • Mica Hairpins and clips for electric motor rebuilding

    Mica Hairpins and clips for electric motor rebuilding

  • Mica tube is available in many sizes, thickness and lengths

    Mica tube is available in many sizes, thickness and lengths

  • Mica shims for EMD motor rebuild kits

    Mica shims for EMD motor rebuild kits

  • Fabricated and stamped mica parts

    Fabricated and stamped mica parts

  • Mica Hair clips for EMD and other motor rebuilding

    Mica Hair clips for EMD and other motor rebuilding

  • we stock a full range of Shellac Mica Paper Tubes

    we stock a full range of Shellac Mica Paper Tubes

  • we supply custom Phlogopite Mica Plate Winding Boards

    we supply custom Phlogopite Mica Plate Winding Boards

  • We can supply custom Mica Plate Cover for Microwave

    We can supply custom Mica Plate Cover for Microwave

  • Mica Plate Element Cards are avail to your specification

    Mica Plate Element Cards are avail to your specification

  • we stock Mica Rolls for Induction Furnace Barrier

    we stock Mica Rolls for Induction Furnace Barrier

  • Phlogopite Mica Paper Barriers can be built to your specifications

    Phlogopite Mica Paper Barriers can be built to your specifications

  • We stock a wide range of Mica tubes

    We stock a wide range of Mica tubes

  • We stock and can supply many types of Mica Paper

    We stock and can supply many types of Mica Paper

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Built Up Mica

Muscovite and phlogopite splittings can be fabricated into various built-up mica products. Produced by mechanized or hand setting of overlapping splittings and alternate layers of binders and splittings, built-up mica is used primarily as an electrical insulation material. Mica insulation is used in high-temperature and fire-resistant power cables in aluminium plants, blast furnaces, critical wiring circuits (for example, defense systems, fire and security alarm systems, and surveillance systems), heaters and boilers, lumber kilns, metal smelters, and tanks and furnace wiring. Specific high-temperature mica-insulated wire and cable is rated to work for up to 15 minutes in molten aluminium, glass, and steel. Major products are bonding materials; flexible, heater, molding, and segment plates; mica paper; and mica tape.

Mica Plate also has a large consumer use as a lampshade material in many lighting applications, the paper when formed and cut and molded to shape creates a warm light with unique, striking colors caused by mineral deposit variations. Additional decorative mica uses include applications in privacy screens, Fireplace screens, wallpaper, Picture matts and many other decorative functions where it’s unique texture and reflective look add a unique touch.

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