Juan Pocholo F.

Belza EEE21

1. What is Topaz? - It is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine and with a chemical formula of Al2 SiO4(F, OH)2. The name "topaz" is derived from the Greek topazos, "to seek," which was the name of an island in the Red Sea that was difficult to find and from which a yellow stone (now believed to be a yellowish olivine) was mined in ancient times. In the middle Ages the name topaz was used to refer to any yellow gemstone, but now the name is only properly applied to the silicate described. 2. Largest Supplies The largest supply comes from Brazil which is the only source of imperial topaz and most of the worlds topaz production. It is also supplied is Mexico, Sri Lanka, US, Pakistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Germany Australia and Burma. 3. Application of Topaz as engineering material in the industry. - Topaz can be used as the reinforcing material for ceramic matrix, which improves the thermo mechanical properties of engineering components. - The gaseous fluoride compounds released during degration of topaz structure can be the mineralizers of ceramics mixtures. - Can be used as insulators.