Applications Of Sodium Silicate Glass

Sodium Silicate is a generic name for colorless compounds derived from soluble silicate glass. It is a water solution containing varied ratio of sodium oxide and silicon dioxide. It is usually known as ‘water glass’ or ‘liquid glass’. Sold in the form of solid lumps, powder or clear syrup kind of liquid, it serves the diverse industrial applications.

Varied Sodium Silicate Glass Applications

• Detergents And Soaps

The oldest form of commercial metal cleaning is by use of alkaline solutions due to the enlisted properties:

• Low interfacial tension of solutions against dirt and grime.
• Decent emulsifying and suspending powers.
• Alkalinity reserve to neutralize and saponify soil materials.
• High buffering power enabling to maintain the same pH in detergent solutions until all alkalinity is neutralized.

The different variants of Sodium Silicate Glass and its cleaning actions:

• Granular Free Flowing Sodium Silicate is suitable for dry-mixing and cleaning agents like caustic soda, phosphates, soda ash and wetting agents.
• Alkaline Grade Solid Glass solutions are used in soak-tanks, spray or electrolytic types of cleaning.
• Liquid Silicates and meta-silicates are added to soaps as builders to prevent rancidity.

Foundry

Mixtures of sand and silicates are used for making molds and cores in the foundry industry by inducing a chemical reaction between carbon dioxide gas and Sodium Silicate. The alkali is partially neutralized to form gelatinous silicic acid which binds sand particles in a stiff mass. The bond is strengthened as soon as the mass loses its moisture. The gel forming properties of Sodium Silicate makes it an ideal choice for the use in Foundry. The molds and cores made from this method need not be dried or baked.

Adhesives

Used in appropriate concentrations, the Liquid and Solid Sodium Silicates are widely used as adhesives in making paper tubes, fiber drums, sealing fiberboard boxes etc. the properties making it suitable for the purpose are:

• Easy transformation from liquid to semi solid form by loss of little moisture.
• Good setting characteristics.
• Suitable viscosity.
• Controlled penetration.
• High strength.

Pulp And Paper

Sodium Silicates are used as stabilizer in combination with hydrogen peroxide for de-inking, sizing, coating and bleaching of recycled paper products from a very long time. It is because of the high buffering properties of this compound. It helps to make a whiter grade of paper by dissolving and removing the non-fibrous materials such as inks from the recycled paper.

Other use of Sodium Silicate Glass includes Preparation of gels, catalysts and zeolites, Silica soil and water treatment plants and many more. You can buy it from Sodium Silica Alkaline Glass Manufacturers producing Sodium Silicates in varied concentration as per the requirements of their clients. You can either find for them in your vicinity or search online!

Author is representing this article on behalf of, Sahajanand Industries is a reputed Manufacturer, Exporter and Supplier of Sodium Silicate Glass etc.