What is Silica?
Silica (chemical name for the mineral
quartz and a synonym for silicon
dioxide): Used in manufacture of special
steels and cast iron, aluminum alloys,
glass and refractory materials,
ceramics, abrasives, water filtration,
component of hydraulic cements, filler
in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paper,
insecticides, rubber reinforcing agent -
especially for high adhesion to
textiles, anti-caking agent in foods,
flatting agent in paints, thermal
insulator. Fused silica is used as an
ablative material in rocket engines,
spacecraft, silica fibers used in
reinforced plastics.
Silica Sources
Silicon compounds are the most
significant component of the Earth’s
crust. Silicon is recovered from an
abundant resource: sand. Most pure sand
is quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO2). Since
sand is plentiful, easy to mine and
relatively easy to process, it is the
primary ore source of silicon. Some
silicon is also retrieved from two other
silicate minerals, talc and mica. The
metamorphic rock, quartzite, is another
source (quartzite is metamorphosed
sandstone). All combined, world
resources of silicon are plentiful and
will supply demand for many decades to
come.
Iran has plentiful sand, quartzite, talc
and mica resources.
Silica Packing
All grades of Silica are available in
various types of packaging
1. 1 Ton Jumbo bags
2. 25kg package for powder
Low Quartz Though by no means the most
common, quartz is probably the best
known of all minerals. The ancient
Greeks called it crystallus, in the
belief that it was permanently congealed
water, and thus was derived our word crystal.
Quartz has been investigated from almost
every standpoint, and its physical
constants have been very accurately
determined. The symmetry of law quartz
is trigonal trapezohedral (A3 • 3A2).
Twinned crystals of quartz are not uncommon.
High Quartz On heating quartz, Le Chatelier, the French chemist, noticed a
rapid change in some of its properties
at a temperature of about 570°C. This
has been confirmed by subsequent
investigators, and Wright and Larsen
place the inversion point at 575°±2°C.
At this temperature there is a sudden
change in the properties, which means
that a new substance is produced. The
new substance is hexagonal trapezohedral,
with the symmetry A6•6A2. It has been
called high quartz to distinguish it
from the ordinary form which is law
quartz. The difference in symmetry of
the two forms is shown by Laue X-ray
photographs, which means that there is a
difference in the arrangement of the
atoms or molecules in the two cases. The
crystal habit of high quartz is usually
short and stumpy with narrow prism faces
(Plate 1, Fig. 1) in contrast with the
prismatic habit of law quartz.
Silica Usage
Ferrosilicon alloys are used to improve
the strength and quality of iron and
steel products. Tools, for instance, are
made of steel and ferrosilicon.
In addition to tool steels, an example
of “alloy steels,” ferrosilicon is used
in the manufacture of stainless steels,
carbon steels, and other alloy steels
(e.g., high-strength, law-alloy steels,
electrical steels, and full-alloy
steels).
An alloy steel refers to all finished
steels other than stainless and carbon
steels. Stainless steels are used when
superior corrosion resistance, hygiene,
aesthetic, and wear-resistance qualities
are needed.
Carbon steels are used extensively in
suspension bridges and other structural
support material, and in automotive
bodies, to name a few. Silicon is also
added to aluminum to create a stronger
alloy. The largest consumers of silicon
metal are the aluminum and chemical
industries.
Silicon is used in the aluminum industry
to improve cast ability and weld
ability, not to add strength as noted in
the text. Silicon-aluminum alloys tend
to have relatively law strength and
ductility, so other metals, especially
magnesium and copper, are often added to
improve strength.
In the chemicals industry, silicon metal
is the starting point for the production
of silicones, fumed silica, and
semiconductor-grade silicone the used to
make silicone resins, lubricants,
anti-foaming agents, and water-repellent
compounds. Silicones are used as
lubricants, hydraulic fluids, electrical
insulators, and moisture-proof
treatments.
Semiconductor-grade silicon is used in
the manufacture of silicon chips and
solar cells. Fumed silica is used as
filler in the cement and refractory
materials industries, as well as in heat
insulation and filling material for
synthetic rubbers, polymers and grouts.
Other silicon materials are used in the
production of advanced ceramic
materials, including silicon carbide,
silicon nitride. Silicon carbide is also
used as an abrasive material, a
refractory agent, and in steel
manufacturing.
Recommended Filled of Application
| Kind of powder |
Talc |
Mica |
Kaolin |
Red Iron oxide |
Fluorine |
Dolomite |
Calcite |
Bentonite |
Barite |
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