Huntite

Huntite^[1] is a carbonate mineral with the chemical formula Mg₃Ca(CO₃)₄.

It often occurs in combination with hydromagnesite.

It thermally decomposes over a temperature range of about 450–800 °C, releasing carbon dioxide and leaving a residue of magnesium oxide and calcium oxide^[2].

Uses

Its most common industrial use is as a mixture with hydromagnesite as a fire retardant additive for polymers^[3]. These types of mixtures are used as alternatives to the more commonly used aluminium hydroxide.

References

1. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Huntite.shtml
2. ^ Hollingbery,L.A., Hull,T.R.,"The Thermal Decomposition of Huntite and Hydromagnesite - A Review", Thermochimica Acta 509(2010) Page 1-11 (http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/1139/1/1._The_thermal_decomposition_of_huntite_and_hydromagnesite_-_A_review.pdf)
3. ^ Hollingbery,L.A., Hull,T.R., "The Fire Retardant Behaviour of Huntite and Hydromagnesite - A Review", Polymer Degradation and Stability 95(2010) Page 2213-2225 (http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/1432/1/2._The_fire_retardant_behaviour_of_huntite_and_hydromagnesite_-_A_review.pdf)