May 8 2013
Thorutite is a monoclinic-prismatic mineral containing uranium, titanium, thorium, oxygen, hydrogen and calcium. The mineral was named after titanium, thorium and uranium in its composition.
Properties of Thorutite
The following are the key properties of thorutite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: C2, Cm, or C2/m (synthetic ThTi2O6)
- a = 9.822(5)
- b = 3.824(2)
- c = 7.036(5)
- β = 118.84(5)°
- Z = 2
- Crystal Data
- Monoclinic; always metamict
- Point Group: 2, m, or 2/m
- As short prismatic crystals, to 2 cm
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 3.17 (7), 1.728 (6), 1.695 (6), 1.632 (3), 2.72 (2), 1.226 (2), 4.35 (1.5)
- Chemical Composition
| Elements |
Content |
| ThO2 |
54.10 |
| TiO2 |
36.1 |
| LOI |
1.72 |
| Al2O3 |
1.50 |
| UO2 |
1.43 |
| Nb2O5 |
1.12 |
| Fe2O3 |
1.10 |
| CaO |
1.07 |
| H2O |
0.94 |
| SiO2 |
0.44 |
| UO3 |
0.14 |
| Ta2O5 |
0.08 |
| Total |
99.74 |
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Isotropic
- n = > 2.1
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density)=4.93 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Thorutite =5.61 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEThorutite = 1201.59 barns/electron
U= PEThorutite x ρElectron density= 5926.41 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.03
Boson index = 0.97 |
| Radioactivity |
Thorutite is radioactive |
How to Identify Thorutite
Thorutite is black or dark brown mineral having a light brown streak and resinous luster. It has conchoidal fractures developed in brittle materials and characterized by smooth curved surfaces. The average density of thorutite is 5.82 g/cm3, and its hardness ranges from 4.5 to 5.5.
Global Distribution
Thorutite is widely distributed in Kutyur-Tyube thorium deposit, near Urusai Peak, Sokh River basin, Alai Range, Kyrgyzstan.
Occurrence of Thorutite and Useful Mineral Association
Thorutite occurs in syenite massif and veins of microcline and sericitized nepheline. Galena, barite, calcite, zircon and thorite are closely associated with thorutite.
References