What is vermiculite? It was first named in the early 1800s after an occurrence in Millbury, Massachusetts. Vermiculite has been mined in the US, Brazil, Uganda, Australia, Russia, and Canada, and it’s formed by the weathering of hydrothermal alteration of biotite, or iron-bearing phlogopite. The word vermiculite comes from the Latin for “worm breeding” because of its worm-like appearance when it puffs up in high heat. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral composed of shiny flakes, resembling mica, according to the EPA. Vermiculite undergoes significant expansion when heated; it ca ...
To Read the Full Article
Apply for ASHI Membership and gain access to hundreds of articles written by industry-leading experts, including a monthly subscription to the ASHI Reporter as part of your membership benefits.