kyanite- is there any knowledge of how this might be used

[permaculturebob]

I'm fortunate(?) enough to live in a county in VA where this material is mined, and I've heard it is quite durable at high temps, used in tiles for the space shuttle, etc

I've heard that there might be some availability of less pure material cheap, but so far my only exploration of the plant has been to pick up some sand, which is also quite interesting as a byproduct of the mine.---I got some one time  and used it to line a spring box and this beautiful white sand started foaming pink stuff--I had to totally dig out all the kyanite sand and replace it with regular river sand as the filter.

Anyway, just wondered if anyone knew anything about how it is used and whether it might be worth further exploration as far as trying to get some to play with

[Deleted]

You are fortunate indeed.
It is ideal for a rocket core.

Kyanite is a super-duty refractory material with very high resistance to thermal shock.
digitalfire.com/4sight/material/kyanite_951.html

Chemical Formula Al2SiO5 ~ 63% Al2O3, 37% SiO2

Kyanite can be used as a high temperature grog
for refractory cement or geopolymers.

Less pure material may still have a very high alumina content.
Mixed with clay and a LTGS binder it may give a super cheap refractory.