The asbestos fibres are defined by their dimensional specifications:
- length L > 5µ,
- diameter D < 3µ,
- ratio L/D > 3,
their crystalline structure,
and their composition.
The following species are distinguished:
Species | Variety | Chemical composition |
---|---|---|
chrysotile | serpentine | 3MgO.2SiO2.2H2O |
anthophyllite | amphibole | 7MgO.8SiO2.H2O |
amosite | amphibole | 11FeO.3MgO.16SiO2.2H2O |
actinolite | amphibole | 2CaO.4MgO.FeO.8SiO2.H2O |
tremolite | amphibole | 2CaO.5MgO.8SiO2.H2O |
crocidolite | amphibole | Na2O.Fe2O3.3FeO.8SiO2.H2O |
Only the chrysotile ("white asbestos"), the amosite ("brown asbestos") and crocidolite ("blue asbestos") had significant industrial applications.