Hello all.

chalk, gypsum, hydrated lime, magnesium carbonate, sodium carbonate, calcium sulfate, clay

Seems there is a fine line differences in these minerals and their uses. Can anyone shine some simple light on their uses, properties ?

46 minutes ago, Externet said:

Hello all.

chalk, gypsum, hydrated lime, magnesium carbonate, sodium carbonate, calcium sulfate, clay

Seems there is a fine line differences in these minerals and their uses. Can anyone shine some simple light on their uses, properties ?

Gypsum is a form of hydrated calcium sulphate, which is not a carbonate. Heat treatment to drive off some of the water gives you plaster of Paris, which mixed with water sets hard. Gypsum also has other used, detailed on the internet.

Clay minerals are not carbonates either, but aluminosilicates, variously hydrated and with other cations present. Many uses.

Hydrated lime , or slaked lime is not a carbonate but calcium hydroxide, which can be derived from calcium carbonate by driving off CO2 to produce calcium oxide or quicklime, and then adding water.

Sodium carbonate is washing soda, an alkali.

Chalk is a relatively soft form of calcium carbonate compared to limestone.

The multifarious uses of all these minerals are too long to list but are readily available on the internet.