Mica Flakes

MICA FLAKES have been preferably used in water-based and oilbased oil-well drillings operations as an additive mud chemicalto prevent loss of circulation and seepage. Mica is speciallyadded to seal-off the lost circulation zones. The platy structureof mica facilitates the overlapping of particles to form a layeror wall and acts as a sealent that bridges the openings. The useof mica helps to seal porous formations and contributes to regaincirculation keeping the solids in suspension.

The technique adopted is to mix quantities of mica flakes andgranular bentonite into special batches of mud which is pumpeddown the hole. The drill pipe is then withdrawn and the hole leftundisturbed for a time being. Mica flakes tends to plate out onthe walls at the lost zones and reduce the size of the holesthrough which the mud can pass. After a short interval, the plugis strong enough to permit circulation to resume without loss.Drilling then proceeds normally until a depth well below the lostcirculation zone.

What is Mica and Mica Flake?

Mica is a non-toxic silicate mineral that has been used forcenturies. Most mined mica is in blue and green colors, but ironoxides and other additives are used to make it different incolor. Heat-treating is sometimes used to increase the metallicappearance of mica. Mica Flakes is mica slices ground into sizesranging from 0.5 Millimeter to 7 Millimeter. This material isprepared mainly by the means of rotary hammer crushing machine inwhich the mica is literally beaten till some time that therequired size is not achieved and the material passes out fromgraded sieves. When ground into a powder, mica displays atranslucent shine that has made it a favored ingredient incosmetics since ancient times. Its ability to reflect light meansthat it is used in small amounts for items such as face powdersand highlighters. It’s used in larger quantities in lipstick andeye shadow, where it’s a key coloring ingredient. Mica powdersare one of the foundational ingredients in most mineral makeup.

“Micro-Silica usage in cement”

Micro-Silica is very high in fineness and in silica content, anda very effective pozzolanic material depending on free limecontent of cement use. On the other hands, it is known as areducer of the permeability of concrete and increaser of theconcrete strength and durability. On the negative side, iteffects color, water demand. Because of its extreme fineness,micro silica presents handling problems, slump loss, stopsbleeding of concrete. The dosage rate depending on what you aretrying to achieve, typically around 5-15% of by weight of cement.