Industrial Uses: Biotite is primarily used industrially for its insulation, heat resistance, acid and alkali resistance, compressive strength, and peeling properties as an insulating material for electrical equipment and appliances. It is also used in the manufacture of furnace windows for steam boilers and smelting furnaces, as well as mechanical parts. Mica flakes and powder can be processed into mica paper, or used to replace mica sheets in the manufacture of various low-cost, uniformly thick insulating materials.
Main Uses: In industry, muscovite is the most widely used, followed by phlogopite. It is widely used in building materials, fire protection, fire extinguishing agents, welding electrodes, plastics, electrical insulation, papermaking, asphalt paper, rubber, pearlescent pigments, and other chemical industries. Ultrafine mica powder is used as a functional filler in plastics, coatings, paints, and rubber, improving their mechanical strength, toughness, adhesion, aging resistance, and corrosion resistance. In addition to having extremely high electrical insulation, resistance to acid and alkali corrosion, elasticity, toughness and sliding properties, heat resistance and sound insulation, and a small coefficient of thermal expansion, it also features smooth two surfaces, a large aspect ratio, regular shape and strong adhesion.
Medicinal Uses: Ancient texts record that white mica is sweet and warm in nature, and can regulate qi, resolve phlegm, stop bleeding, and heal sores. It can be used to treat weakness and dizziness due to deficiency of qi. Externally, it is used for carbuncles, boils, and bleeding from wounds. Internally, it can be used to treat asthma, dizziness, palpitations, epilepsy, chronic dysentery, leukorrhea, and blurred vision. Later, some people believed that white mica has the effects of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, removing blood stasis and promoting new blood production, and moistening stomach fluids. There are also reports that it can be used to treat digestive system diseases. Phlogopite has the functions of calming the nerves, improving eyesight, and removing corneal opacity. It is mainly used to treat palpitations, insomnia, and eye diseases caused by corneal opacity. Both are often used after calcination.
