Attapulgite

Description

A variety of Palygorskite found in Attapuglus, Georgia. Palygorskite is a fibrous Clay mineral composed of hydrated aluminum-magnesium silicate. Attapulgite is very absorbent and is one of the components often found in fuller's earth. It has been used as a filler in paper and coatings. Attapulgite is also used as an inert poultice to remove dirt, salts, and microbes from the surface of stones.

Synonyms and Related Terms

fuller's earth; palygorskite; atapulgita (Esp.); atapulgite (Port.); Atapulgit (Deut.); atapulgiet (Ned.)

FTIR

Composition	(Mg,Al)5Si8O22(OH)4-4H2O

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 794

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• The Dictionary of Paper, American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980

• Marie Svoboda, Conservation Survey Index, unpublished, 1997

• Conservation Support Systems, Catalog, 1997