n.
See meerschaum (sense 1).
[Greek sēpion, cuttlebone (from sēpiā, cuttlefish; see sepia) + -LITE.]
sepiolite
| Dictionary: se·pi·o·lite |
(sē'pē-ə-līt')
n.
See meerschaum (sense 1).
n.
See meerschaum (sense 1).
| 5min Related Video: sepiolite |
| Sci-Tech Encyclopedia: Sepiolite |
A complex hydrated magnesium silicate mineral named for its resemblance to cuttlefish bone, alternately named meerschaum (sea foam). The ideal composition, Mg8(H2O)4(OH)4Si12O30, is modified by some additional water of hydration, but is otherwise quite representative. Interlaced disoriented fibers aggregate into a massive stone so porous that it floats on water. These stones are easily carved, take a high polish with wax, and harden when warmed. See also Clay minerals; Silicate minerals.
| WordNet: sepiolite |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
a white clayey mineral
Synonym: meerschaum
| Wikipedia: Sepiolite |
Sepiolite is a clay mineral, a complex magnesium silicate, a typical formula for which is Mg4Si6O15(OH)2 • 6H2O, but the number of crystalwater molecules can vary from 2 to 12. It can be present in fibrous, fine-particulate, and solid forms.
Sepiolite is used in oil drilling and for cat litter. It is also used in a solid form for carving, where it is known as meerschaum.
The name comes from a perceived resemblance of the material to the porous bones of the cuttlefish or sepia. On account of its low specific gravity, one to two, and its porosity, it may float upon water, hence its German name Meerschaum ("sea foam").
Owing to its fibrous mineral nature, sepiolite veins may contain the hazardous material, asbestos; even where asbestos is not present, sepiolite is often mistaken for it. Careful analytical techniques may be required to distinguish the two.
References
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Sci-Tech Encyclopedia. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Sepiolite". Read more |
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