Thermal behaviour of mineral fibres

This chapter deals with the synthesis and thermal stability ofmineral fibres. The different structural assemblages within mineral fibres and their resistance to high temperature changes fromspecies to species. In general, the formation of such minerals takes place in hydrothermal environments. The thermal decomposition process consists of three main stages: the loss of water adsorbed on the surface of the fibre and the zeolitic water below 200250ºC; the removal of the structure water (the hydroxyl groups) in the range 5001100ºC and recrystallization into new stable crystalline phases. The thermal stability of chrysotile, amphiboles fibres and erionite will be described in detail and will be followed by specific sections describing how the concept of thermal decomposition is used for the remediation of wastes containing asbestos to produce secondary raw materials to be recycled in various industrial application.