ASBESTOS

For several varieties of fibrous minerals Asbestos is a general name which is available in nature. But most of the commercial asbestos produced is 'chriotile' [Mg6SiO11(OH)6.H2O] presently,  .

Properties of Asbestos

1.  Asbestos is soft, flexible and non-porous.
2.  Asbestos is a good insulator of heat and electricity.
3.  Asbestos is fire proof and acid proof material.
4.  Its colour is brown or grey.
5.  It retains shape firmly when it is mixed with cement and water.
6.  Asbestos possesses high tensile strength in the direction of its fibres.
7.  Asbestos can be cut into pieces or can be drilled.
8.  Its particular gravity is 3.10.

Uses of Asbestos

1.  Asbestos cement sheets are the cheapest roofing materials.
2.  It forms good damp proof layer having bitumen.
3.  Asbestos cement pipes which is used as down take pipes of rain water from the roof.
4.  for preparing fire proof ropes and clothes It is used
5.  For insulating boilers, furnaces etc It is useful.
6.  It is used as covering material for fuse and electric switch boxes.