Soapstone
Soapstone is a type of talc-schist metamorphic rock. Also other naming's are steatite or soaprock. The composed primarily of talc, with varying amount of micas, chlorite, amphiboles, carbonates and other minerals. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism.
It occurs in the regions where tectonic plates are present, replacing the rocks with heat and pressure, with the flow of liquids, but without melting. It has been an environment for carving for thousands of years. It is composed primarily of talc so it usually very soft. It is typically gray, bluish, green, or brown in color, often variegated. Its name is derived from its “soapy” feel and softness.Soapstone usually formed at convergent plate boundaries. These areas of the Earth’s crust are subject to direct pressure and heat, thus metamorphosing periodites, serpentinites and dunites into soapstones. It can also be formed from the altering of dolostones by hot and chemically active fluids through metasomatism.
Application Usages
Most of the rubber manufacturers use soapstone powder as a lubricant to prevent ungalvanized rubber goods from sticking. The purer variety of steatite or soapstone after calcination, industrially called 'Lava' is used in the manufacture of low loss ceramic materials required for high frequency insulations in all kinds of radio, television and related instruments.
This naturally quarried stone is softer than most other minerals found in nature. Soapstone, despite its softness, is a very dense (non-porous) stone, denser than marble, slate, limestone, and even granite. Since soapstone is impenetrable, it will not stain and will not allow liquid to permeate its surface. Other stones, such as granite, are prone to soiling, which is why soapstone (steatite) is commonly used in chemistry lab countertops and acid rooms.
Soapstone supports non-reacting ability and stops the lump formation of products. The soapstone powder is chemically and physically inert. Unlike hydrophilic minerals, it does not interfere with any agricultural chemicals or premixes.Additionally, talc improves the powder flow. Thus, it is used as an efficient carrier for animal feed, pesticides, or insecticides.
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock that was formed by millions of years of fluctuating heat and pressure combined with the infusion of mineral-rich water and other liquids. As a metamorphic rock, Soapstone is very resistant to heat. In fact, soapstone is often used for casting metals, such as lead, pewter and silver
