ASBESTOS chemical definition
The asbestos fibres are defined by their dimensional specifications:
- length L > 5µ,
- diameter D < 3µ,
- ratio L/D > 3,
their crystalline structure,
and their composition.
The following species are distinguished:
| Species | Variety | Chemical composition |
| chrysotile | serpentine | 3MgO.2SiO2.2H2O |
| anthophyllite | amphibole | 7MgO.8SiO2.H2O |
| amosite | amphibole | 11FeO.3MgO.16SiO2.2H2O |
| actinolite | amphibole | 2CaO.4MgO.FeO.8SiO2.H2O |
| tremolite | amphibole | 2CaO.5MgO.8SiO2.H2O |
| crocidolite | amphibole | Na2O.Fe2O3.3FeO.8SiO2.H2O |
Only the chrysotile ("white asbestos"), the amosite ("brown asbestos") and crocidolite ("blue asbestos") had significant industrial applications.
©TEKIMMO 2002 - last update : 01/2004
