Collier's New Encyclopedia

A complete general encyclopedia of 1921 — the world as it was understood just after the Great War, from Aachen to Zwingli, across twelve volumes and six thousand pages.

HomeP › Pyrophyllite

Pyrophyllite

a hydrated silicate of alumina, occurring in foliated masses, which split into layers on heating.

Crystallizes in the monoclinic system.

The color may be either yellow or green, some specimens being almost pure white.

It somewhat resembles talc, possessing PYRRHIC a soapy feeling, and is used in the manufacture of tailors' chalk and slate pencils. In China and Japan harder varieties are used for making small images. It is found in North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Brazil, Sweden and Urals.

← PyrometerPyroxene →