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Relationship Between Crystal Structure, Internal Stress and Properties in the Naturally Occurring Supportless Thin Films of Chrysotile Asbestos

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Georges Denes ,
R. Le Van Mao  and
A. Vaillancourt
Georges Denes
Affiliation:
Concordia University, Laboratory of Solid State Chemistry and Müssbauer Spectroscopy
R. Le Van Mao
Affiliation:
Catalysis Laboratory, Laboratories for Inorganic Materials, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada
A. Vaillancourt
Affiliation:
Concordia University, Laboratory of Solid State Chemistry and Müssbauer Spectroscopy Catalysis Laboratory, Laboratories for Inorganic Materials, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada
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Abstract

Chrysotile asbestos (empirical formula: Mg3Si2O7.2H2O, structural formula: Mg3Si2O5(OH)4) crystallizes in a sheet structure so thin that it is equivalent to a thin film that has no support. The magnesium ions are too large to fit comfortably in their octahedral sites, the size of which is determined by the network of SiO4 tetrahedra. The squeezing of the magnesium ions in sites that are too tight forces the thin layers to bend and coil around themselves. The bending of the unit-cells results in the presence of an enormous amount of highly directional stress, which has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The carcinogenic properties of chrysotile asbestos are a direct consequence of this stress.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 356: Symposium B2 – Thin Films: Stresses and Mechanical Properties V , 1994 , 105
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

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