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3646977 
Journal Article 
The physical and molecular structure of asbestos 
Gaze, R 
1965 
Yes 
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
ISSN: 0077-8923
EISSN: 1749-6632 
132 
1 
23-30 
English 
5219550 
The physical and molecular characteristics of several different asbestos (1332214) minerals were discussed. Chrysotile (12001295), the fibrous form of serpentine, was identified as the most common asbestos variety, used in numerous products not requiring acid resistance. Crocidolite (12001284), the fibrous form of riebeckite, and amosite (12172735), the fibrous form of grunerite, were characterized as amphibole forms useful in asbestos cements and pipes, and highly resistant to acid corrosion. Three other asbestos varieties, anthophyllite (17068789), tremolite (14567738), and actinolite (13768008), were also discussed. Molecular study of chrysotile showed that the fibers were composed of hollow tubes formed from rolled sheets, tightly packed together and filled with amorphous material. The finest fibers range from 150 to 400 angstroms. The molecular structure of the amphiboles consisted of strips of octahedral cation oxide units layered between strips of hexagonally arranged silica tetrahedral. The smallest amphibole fibers were between 800 and 1000 angstroms in diameter. The ability of asbestos fibers to be subdivided to extremely small sizes was considered an important factor in dust counting methodologies; in addition, the aerodynamic behavior of asbestos fibers was characterized as unpredictable. 
DCN-188011; Airborne fibers; Asbestos fibers; Chemical properties; Crystal structure; Mineral dusts; Molecular structure; Physical properties; Surface properties; 1332-21-4; 12001-29-5; 12001-28-4; 12172-73-5; 17068-78-9; 14567-73-8; 13768-00-8