What is Mica?

Mica is a rock. It occurs naturally in sheets called block, or in flakes called schist. Scrap mica, processed by breaking and grinding it into very small flakes and pieces, resembles schist. While naturally occurring in dozens of natural colors, enhancing mica by calcining (heating) or coloring it synthetically occurs frequently for use in the plastics industry.

Mica is completely inert to the action of water, most acids, alkali solvents, oil and it is virtually unaffected by atmospheric conditions. Mica is relatively soft and can be hand-cut, machine or die-cut. It is flexible, elastic, and tough, incombustible and non-flammable. In fact, its exceptional properties and resistance to heat make it virtually irreplaceable by any other material.

Large pieces of mica range in size from 2 inches (small), 4 inches (medium), 6 inches (large), 8 inches (extra large) and Grande (approximately 10 inches and up). Generally transparent with interesting organic inclusions and colorations, Mica Tiles must be used with a gloss adhesive or product such as diamond glaze or ecopoxycraftresin.

Detaching Layers of Mica

Mica, being many layers compressed by the millenia, is easily 'delaminated' but unable to be restored, except by artificial means.

Slip a fingernail or pointed tool into the edge of a Mica Tile and gently persuade it to come apart. Many thinner layers come from a single piece. If the layers become too thin, they lose their natural color and quality, resembling clear plastic. In addition, they may become too flimsy for many techniques. The thinnest layers, however, become very pretty when layered as fragments or as inclusions in collage or assemblage artwork. For many techniques, the piece should be just rigid enough that it does not bend easily without cracking.