Properties

Chemical and Physical properties

Chrysotile asbestos

Amphibole asbestos

Length

May attain 3 cm

May attain 1 cm

Fibre diameter

Very fine (0.02 to 0.03 um)

Fine (0.1 to 0.2 um)

Electrical conductivity

Poor conductor

Very poor conductor

Friction resistance

Yes

Yes

Resistance to chemical attack

Alkaline resistant

Acid resistant

Heat resistance

Up to 1500o C

Between 1200o C and 1450o C

Filtration

Yes

Yes

Hardness

2.5 to 4 on Mohs hardness scale of 1 to 10

4.0 to 6 on Mohs hardness scale of 1 to 10

Water absorption

High

Low

Colour

White, green, grey, yellow

Yellow, brown, blue, greenish

Mineral impurities

Iron, chrome, nickel, limestone

Iron and limestone

Tensile strength

3000 MPa

500 Mpa to 3500 Mpa

Electrical charge

Positive

Negative

Refraction index

1.50 to 1.55

1.61 to 1.7

Density (g/cc)

2.3 to 2.6

2.8 to 3.5