aluminosilicate
Quick Summary
An aluminosilicate is a compound that combines silicate and aluminate components. These compounds are fundamental building blocks in Earth's crust and upper mantle, making up about 95% of these regions.12
The basic structural unit of silicate minerals, including aluminosilicates, is the silicon tetrahedron, where one silicon atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms. These units can link together in various ways, forming different structures like chains, sheets, or three-dimensional frameworks. Aluminum ions can substitute for silicon ions within these structures, influencing their properties.23
Aluminosilicates are found in many igneous rocks, as well as in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. They are also significant components of lunar samples and meteorites. Examples of common aluminosilicate minerals include feldspars, micas, and zeolites. Minerals like andalusite (Al2SiO5) are also aluminosilicates.24
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.




