# Pyrophyllite: An Economic Mineral for Different Industrial Applications
## 3 Pyrophyllite's Industrial Applications
### Pyrophyllite as Filler
#### 3.3.2 Plastic Industry  
Pyrophyllite is used in the plastic industry as a filler in various applications, such as in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In these applications, the various properties of pyrophyllite are exploited, such as its chemical inertness, high specific heat, high electrical resistance, platy structure, high oil absorption, greasiness, and good mechanical strength. These improved plastic materials are used in garden chairs and computer cases, which require high specific heat and electrical resistance, and under conditions that require high mechanical strength, such as in bumpers and automobile dashboards. In all these applications, pyrophyllite improves the smoothness and greasiness of the product. The platy structure of pyrophyllite gives the product a smooth finish. Further, pyrophyllite's high oil-absorption properties offer an excellent mixture between pyrophyllite and oleo-resinous materials [9; 21; 74]. Moreover, pyrophyllite's chemical inertness prevents a chemical reaction from occurring between the materials. The industry in question will determine the size of the ultra-fine particles needed to achieve uniform dispersion within the matrix; the other specifications are shown in Table 5.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Industry (Role)**} & \multicolumn{4}{c}{**Specifications**} & **Ref.** \\ \cline{3-6}  & & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Chemical**} & & **Physical** \\ \hline \multirow{6}{*}{Refractory (as refractory material)} & \(\bullet\) & SiO\({}_{2}\) & 60\% Max & \(\bullet\) & Required size \\  & \(\bullet\) & Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & 18–21\% & \(>\)150 mm (special refractory). \\  & \(\bullet\) & Fe\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & \(<\)1\% & \(>\)15 mm (tile refractory). \\  & \(\bullet\) & TiO\({}_{2}\) & 1\% Max & \(>\)5 mm (cement brick). & [3; 8; 9; 45] \\  & \(\bullet\) & Alkalis & 1\% Max & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & CaO & \(<\)0.5\% & \(\bullet\) & Density 2.8–2.9 g/cm\({}^{3}\) \\  & \(\bullet\) & MgO & \(<\)0.5\% & \(\bullet\) & Pyrometric Cone Equivalent \\  & \(\bullet\) & LOI & 4\% & & (PCE) 28–30\% \\ \hline \multirow{6}{*}{Ceramic (as raw material)} & \(\bullet\) & SiO\({}_{2}\) & 64 \(\pm\) 2\% & \multirow{6}{*}{Required size 44 Microns} & \multirow{6}{*}{[2; 3; 9; 22]} \\  & \(\bullet\) & Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & 15–19\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & Fe\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & 1\% Max & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & TiO\({}_{2}\) & 1\% Max & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & Alkalis & 1\% Max & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & CaO & \(<\)0.5\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & MgO & \(<\)0.5\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & LOI & 4\% & & \\ \hline \multirow{6}{*}{Fiber glass (as raw material)} & \(\bullet\) & SiO\({}_{2}\) & \(<\)70\% & \multirow{6}{*}{[4; 9; 63; 65]} \\  & \(\bullet\) & Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & 18–21\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & Fe\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & \(>\)0.5\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & TiO\({}_{2}\) & \(>\)1\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & Alkalis & \(>\)1\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & CaO & \(<\)0.5\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & MgO & \(<\)0.5\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & LOI & 4\% & & \\ \hline \multirow{6}{*}{Cosmetic (as raw material)} & \(\bullet\) & SiO\({}_{2}\) & \(<\)70\% & \multirow{6}{*}{[4; 9; 63; 65]} \\  & \(\bullet\) & Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & \(<\)21\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & Fe\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) & \(>\)0.5\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & TiO\({}_{2}\) & \(>\)0.5\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & Alkalis & \(>\)1\% & & \\  & \(\bullet\) & CaO & \(<\)