ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF SYNTHETIC DIOPSIDE INTO CHRYSOTILE

The transformation of synthetic diopside into chrysotile was achieved by hydrothermal reactions in the presence of MgO and MgCl2 . 6H(2)O at p(H2O) = 1 kbar in the temperature range 250 degrees-390 degrees C. T he reaction progress was controlled by hydrothermal runs performed at 300 degrees C and with reaction times ranging from 1 to 12 days. The h abit of most chrysotile fibers is cylindrical, but other habits were a lso noticed. The fiber length and quality depend on temperature and re action time. The accompanying phases, among which is lizardite, are al so described.