Introduction
Soda Feldspar NaAlSi3O8 is the name of a group of most important rock – forming minerals. Their general composition are aluminium silicate of potassium, sodium and calcium. Important minerals of the group are potassium feldspars, orthoclase and microcline and soda lime feldspar (plagioclaes, having different proportions of sodium and calcium, from albite to anorthite.
History
Soda Feldspar silicate of potassium, sodium and calcium. It ranges in color from white or light gray but may also be pink, reddish, yellow or greenish. It occurs usually as coarse grained lenticular or tabular body of acid igneous rock. The potassium feldspars and the more soda rich forms of plagioclase are the types generally needed. The specific gravity ranges from 2.55 to 2.75. Its hardness vary from 6 – 6.5.
Deposits Of Peshawar Division, District Hazara
Several pegmatite bodies occur at one and a half mile to the east of Rajdhaware in Hazara tribal territory which is the only locality where feldspar is being mined. These pegmatite are intruded into gneissose granite and schists.
Properties
The properties of Soda Feldspar which make it of commercial value are;
» It is the silicate of Postassium, Sodium and Calcium
» Occur usually as coarse grained lenticular or tabular body of acid igneous rock
Application
» Pottery
» Glass
» Enamel
» Soap Industries
» Ceramics
