Crocidolite has a fibrous crystal structure. It is lavender or blue, with a silky dull luster. Crocidolite is fairly resistant to acids. The four commercially important forms of asbestos are Chrysotile, Amosite, Anthophyllite, and Crocidolite. Asbestos has been used in more than 5,000 products, including roofing, thermal and electrical insulation, cement pipe and sheet, flooring, gaskets, friction materials, coatings, plastics, textiles, and paper products.
Major research is currently under way to develop and determine suitable substitutes for asbestos.
Chrysotile, amosite, and particularly crocidolite all have extremely high-tensile strengths and are used extensively as reinforcers in cements, resins, and plastics. Chrysotile fibers are soft and flexible, whereas crocidolite and amosite fibers are hard and brittle. Although chrysotile is most adaptable to industrial use, crocidolite and amosite are particularly useful in combination with chrysotile for adding specific properties, such as rigidity. U.S. imports of asbestos have declined since 1980. There is an enormous amount of actual recorded and experimantal data to support the carcinogenicity of asbestos.