Gibbsite
| Gibbsite | |
|---|---|
Gibbsite | |
| General | |
| Category | Hydroxide minerals |
| Formula | Al(OH)3 |
| IMA symbol | Gbb |
| Strunz classification | 4.FE.10 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/n |
| Identification | |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5–3 |
| Specific gravity | 2.35 |
Gibbsite, Al(OH)3, is one of the mineral forms of aluminium hydroxide. It is often designated as γ-Al(OH)3: 2 (but sometimes as α-Al(OH)3). It is also sometimes called hydrargillite (or hydrargyllite).
Gibbsite is an important ore of aluminium in that it is one of three main phases that make up the rock bauxite.
Gibbsite has three named structural polymorphs or polytypes: bayerite (designated often as α-Al(OH)3,: 2 but sometimes as β-Al(OH)3), doyleite, and nordstrandite. Gibbsite can be monoclinic or triclinic, while bayerite is monoclinic.: 13 Doyleite and nordstrandite are triclinic forms.: 13