Formation of Zeolite During Caustic Dissolution of Fiberglass: Implications for Studies of the Kaolinite‐to‐Mullite Transformation

Insoluble zeolitic reaction products are formed during the caustic dissolution of fiberglass filters. The zeolite that forms is Linde B 1 , the higher temperature form of the zeolite identified during caustic dissolution of free SiO 2 in kaolinite‐to‐mullite transformations. The Linde B 1 is a sodium aluminosilicate hydrate that preferentially incorporates Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ . Formation of the Linde B 1 zeolite from fiberglass dissolution in NaOH indicates that caustic dissolution of kaolinite does not preferentially dissolve free amorphous SiO 2 , but dissolves any multicomponent amorphous phase present.