Properties of Sphalerite
Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral with the chemical formula (Zn,Fe)S. It is the primary ore of zinc and is commonly found in various types of ore deposits. Sphalerite can range in color from yellow, brown, and green to black, and it often appears as tetrahedral crystals.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of sphalerite properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | (Zn,Fe)S |
| Molar Mass | 97.456 g/mol |
| Crystal System | Cubic |
| Density | 3900 - 4200 kg/m3 |
| Color | Brown, yellow, orange, red, green, or black |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to opaque |
| Luster | Resinous, metallic, greasy |
| Cleavage | {110} |
| Fracture | Uneven, conchoidal |
| Streak | Brownish white |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 75 GPa |
| Shear Modulus (G) | 29.5 GPa |
| Flexural Strength | 100 MPa |
| Mohs Hardness | 3.5 - 4 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 1827 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 25 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 472 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 6.36×10-6 1/°C |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Electrical Resistivity | 2.7×10-3 Ω·m |
| Optical Properties | Metric |
| Refractive Index (nD) | 2.369 |
Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.