Silica Powder Uses
What is Silica?
Silica is the name given to the group of minerals that consist of silicon and oxygen (for example, quartz). Its chemical formula is silicon dioxide (a silicon atom and two oxygen atoms), and it is expressed by the chemical symbol SiO2. Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth’s crust, and it is a naturally colorless mineral that is purified and processed in either a granular or embossed form. It is possible to find quartz in colorful forms sometimes when some impurities such as iron enter it.
Silica Extract Sources
This substance is found in most parts of the world due to the fact that silica represents approximately 28% of the Earth’s outer crust, of which about 12% is silica sand and the rest is in the form of clay (silicates).
The most commonly used forms of silica
Silica powder is a granular, vitreous, porous form of silicon dioxide manufactured from sodium silicate. Silicon dioxide is obtained mostly by mining, including sand mining and quartz purification. Quartz is suitable for many purposes, while chemical processing is required to make it a purer or more fine-grained flour suitable and reactive in various manufacturing processes.
Silica gel, which is a solid, is stiffer than common household gels such as gelatin or agar. There are several types, colors and sizes of silica gel. The three most common colors of silica gel are white and blue which turns orange when the gel becomes saturated with moisture and needs regeneration. Gel packs can be dried when filled with moisture and reused.
Silica Powder Uses
Industrial silica is used in a wide range of fields, the most important of which are:
Industrial scale: The use of silica in the industrial scale dates back to about five thousand years BC. This material has continued to support industrial development throughout human history until it became a basic material in many industrial applications, the most important of which are:
- Glass, ceramics and abrasives.
- Foundries, construction and chemical industries.
- Paints, plastics and rubber.
- Water filtration.
- Anti-caking food additive.
- A way to control the viscosity of drinks.
- Anti-foaming agent and dough modifier.
- Excipient in medicines and vitamins (a binding agent that allows crushed medicines to be made into pills).
- Animal feed, agrochemical industry.
- Adhesives, printing inks, cosmetics.
Agricultural Scope: Most of the silica products on the market can be applied as root feed or as foliar spray. Plants can absorb much more through foliar feeding than simply sucking through the root zone. Silica is also known to prevent powdery mildew when used as a foliar spray. Silica improves the plant’s ability to survive and even thrive in high salinity areas. It also improves plant photosynthesis and aids plant uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, zinc and molybdenum.
Technological scope: Today, silica contributes to the information-technology revolution by using it in plastics for computer mice, and silica is the main raw material for silicon chips used in the field of electronics, where solar collectors, transistors, optical fibers and other industrial devices and materials are made.
Medical scope: Silica can be used to treat some chronic diseases and relieve their symptoms, because silica originates from rocks and contains many elements and materials that strengthen body parts, and silica can be used to treat diseases of the immune system, colds, ear infections, influenza, and skin problems. , bone fractures, peeling lips, and is used to strengthen nails also, and mastitis that may affect nursing mothers.
BMS | Gharbalah Ind. Co. | provides high-quality Silica Sands and Silica Powder that can be custom packaged according to the customer’s needs.
