Geologic Features
The geologic features of silica (quartz), feldspar, and diamonds are sufficiently indicated elsewhere (Chapter II; pp. 84, 196, 86, 291-292).
Diatomaceous earth is made up of remains of minute aquatic plants. It may be loose and powdery, or coherent like chalk. It is of sedimentary origin, accumulated originally at the bottoms of ponds, lakes, and in the sea.
Tripoli and rottenstone are light, porous, siliceous rocks which have resulted from the leaching of calcareous materials from various siliceous limestones or calcareous cherts in the process of weathering.
Grinding pebbles are derived from the erosion of limestone or chalk formations which contain concretions of extremely fine-grained and dense chert. Under stream and wave action they are rounded and polished. The principal sources are ocean beaches.
Corundum as an abrasive is the mineral of this name—made up of anhydrous aluminum oxide. Emery is an intimate mechanical mixture of corundum, magnetite, and sometimes spinel. Corundum is a product of contact metamorphism and also a result of direct crystallization from molten magma. Canadian corundum occurs as a constituent of syenite and nepheline-syenite in Lower Ontario. In North Carolina and Georgia, the corundum occurs in vein-like bodies at the contact of peridotite with gneisses and schists, and also in part in the peridotite itself. In New York the emery deposits are segregations of aluminum and iron oxides in norite (a basic igneous rock). The emery of Greece and Turkey occurs as lenses or pockets in crystalline limestones, and is the result of contact metamorphism by intrusive granites.
Garnets result mainly from contact metamorphism, and commonly occur either in schists and gneisses or in marble. The principal American occurrences are of this type. Being heavy and resistant to weathering, they are also concentrated in placers. The Spanish garnets are reported to be obtained by washing the sands of certain streams.
Pumice is solidified rock froth formed by escape of gases from molten igneous rocks at the surface. It is often closely associated with volcanic ash, which is also used for abrasive purposes.
In general, the geologic processes entering into the formation of abrasives cover almost the full range from primary igneous processes to surface alterations and sedimentation.
ASBESTOS
Economic Features
The principal uses of asbestos are in high-pressure packing in heat engines, in thermal and electrical insulation, in fire-proofing, and in brake-band linings.
The largest producers of asbestos are Canada (Quebec) and, to a considerably less extent, Russia. United States interests have financial control of about a fourth of the Canadian production, and practically the entire export trade of Canada goes to the United States. Russia exports nearly all her product to Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Previous to the war the output was largely controlled by a German syndicate. There is a considerable recent production in South Africa, which is taken by England and the United States, and small amounts are produced in Italy, Cyprus, and Australia.
The United States has been a large importer of asbestos, from Canada and some other sources. Domestic production is relatively insignificant, and exports depend chiefly on an excess of import. Georgia is the principal local source. Arizona and California are also producers, their product being of a higher grade. The United States is the largest manufacturer of asbestos goods, and exports go to nearly all parts of the world.
So long as the abundant Canadian material is accessible on reasonable conditions, the United States is about as well situated as if independent. Some Canadian proposals of restriction during the war led to a study of other supplies and showed that several deposits, such as those in Russia and Africa, might compete with the Canadian asbestos.