1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
2.2 Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Black, Black to Grey, Green, Grey
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
Dull and Soft
Dull, Banded and Foilated
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
4 Types
4.1 Types
Not Available
Not Available
4.2 Features
Host Rock for Lead
Host Rock for Lead
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Pseudotachylite is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Soapstone is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock and it is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich inmagnesium.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
CaO, Mg, MgO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
Light to dark brown
Black
6.1.5 Porosity
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
60.00 N/mm2225.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.7-2.9 g/cm32.8-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K0.88 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
South Korea
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand
7.1.2 Africa
Western Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Great Britain, Switzerland
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Not Yet Found
Canada, USA
7.2.2 South America
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland