1 Definition
1.1 Definition
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Hard 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, Black to Grey, Green, Grey
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
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, Banded and Foilated
Dull and Soft
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
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
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
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.
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.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
5.2.2 Compound Content
CaO, Mg, MgO
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact 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
Fine Grained
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
Black
Light to dark brown
6.1.5 Porosity
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
225.00 N/mm260.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Opaque
Transparent to Translucent
6.1.12 Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm32.7-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.88 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand
South Korea
7.1.2 Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Great Britain, Switzerland
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, USA
Not Yet Found
7.2.2 South America
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland
Central Australia, Western Australia