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U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1255-KK

Mineral Commodity Profiles -- Asbestos

Published 2005
Online only
Version 1.0

By Robert L. Virta

Overview

Asbestos is a generic name given to six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial products. It is an industry term rather than a mineralogical term that is applied to specific fibrous mineral particles that possess high tensile strengths, large length-to-width ratios, flexibility, and resistance to chemical and thermal degradation. Asbestos also exhibits high electric resistance, and many forms can easily be woven into textiles (Bowles, 1935, p. 5-7; Rosato, 1959, p. 46-52; Meylan and others, 1978, p. 2-12; Virta, 2001).

Report

This report is available in Adobe Reader format.

Circular 1255-KK [3-MB PDF].

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Contact

For scientific questions or comments concerning this report, contact Robert L. Virta.

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