Sodium silicate (commonly known as water glass or sodium silicate alkali) is an inorganic chemical with extremely wide applications. Due to its adhesive properties, acid resistance, heat resistance, and low cost, it plays a significant role in many industrial fields. The following is a classification of the main uses of sodium silicate. To present it more intuitively, the core application areas are summarized in the figure below:
1.As an industrial adhesive, this is the most classic application field of sodium silicate.
Paper products industry: It is the core adhesive for manufacturing corrugated cardboard, paper tubes, and paper boxes, with high strength and low cost.
Foundry industry: As a sand mold binder, it binds sand particles together to form precise molds when manufacturing metal castings.
Refractory materials: It is used in the production of refractory bricks, refractory mud, etc., to maintain structural strength at high temperatures.
Building materials industry: It is used as a setting accelerator for Portland cement, an adhesive for wood and ceramics, and for coating material surfaces to enhance their weather resistance.
2. In detergents and cleaning products,
sodium silicate is an indispensable component in laundry detergents, soaps and other cleaning agents. It serves as a water softener, providing an alkaline environment to enhance the cleaning effect and emulsifying and dispersing dirt. It also acts as a pH stabilizer during the washing process, a corrosion inhibitor to protect the metal parts of the washing machine and the ceramic glaze from corrosion, and a filler for soaps to increase their hardness and durability and prevent rancidity of oils.
3. In the textile and bleaching industries
Bleaching stabilizer: In the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) bleaching process of textiles, sodium silicate can stabilize the bleaching solution, prevent H₂O₂ from decomposing too quickly, thereby enhancing the bleaching efficiency and protecting the fabric fibers.
Dyeing and printing auxiliaries: As a dispersant and pH regulator for dye solutions.
4. As a preservative and anti-rust agent
Metal preservation: When sodium silicate solution is applied to the surface of metals (such as aluminum, zinc, and tin), it forms a protective film that effectively prevents corrosion. It is commonly used in water treatment systems and automotive coolant.
Wood and egg preservation: Wood soaked in sodium silicate has fire-resistant and anti-corrosive properties. Diluted solutions have also been used to soak eggs to seal the pores, achieving long-term preservation.
5. In construction engineering and geological reinforcement:
Soil reinforcement: In projects such as sinkhole, culvert, tunnel, basement, and foundation pit treatment, sodium silicate and calcium chloride solutions are alternately injected into the soil. The silica gel formed by their reaction can bind soil particles together, thereby reinforcing the foundation and preventing water seepage.
Acid-resistant engineering: When mixed with acid-resistant fillers, it can be made into acid-resistant mortar and acid-resistant concrete, which are used in acid tanks and floors in chemical plants.
6. In oil and mineral extraction
Drilling fluid loss control agent: In oil drilling, when encountering fractured formations, the addition of sodium silicate can quickly form a gel to seal the leakage channels.
Mineral flotation agent: In the mineral processing, by taking advantage of its dispersion and inhibition effects, it can enhance the recovery rate and grade of the target minerals.
7. As a raw material for silicon-based products, this is a high-value application direction for sodium silicate.
Preparation of silica gel: Silica gel is a common desiccant, and its production is achieved through the reaction of acids such as sulfuric acid with sodium silicate solution.
Production of precipitated silica: Precipitated silica (silicon dioxide) is an important reinforcing filler, widely used in rubber, toothpaste and other industries.
Manufacture of molecular sieves: Molecular sieves are efficient adsorbents and catalysts, and one of their synthesis raw materials is sodium silicate.
Production of titanium dioxide: Sodium silicate is an additive in the production of titanium dioxide, mainly used for post-treatment, surface treatment, removal of impurity ions in the titanium dioxide system, and formation of an amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO₂) protective film on the surface of titanium dioxide particles, which greatly improves its weather resistance, anti-powdering property and dispersibility.
8. Ceramic Industry
As a glaze slurry diluent (de-gelling agent), it has good fluidity, so it has a high content, high purity, and strong de-gelling ability per unit product for the slurry. It is a product with relatively high cost performance among silicate products.
9. Water Treatment and Purification
Sodium silicate is used as a coagulant aid, corrosion inhibitor and flocculant in water treatment.
10. Floor sealing curing agent base material
Sodium silicate is used as the base material for the concrete sealing curing agent. By adding other additives, a concrete sealing curing agent is produced and is widely applied in floor processing.
Different industries have different specifications for sodium silicate. If you have any questions about the application of sodium silicate, please feel free to consult us. We will provide technical support solutions and corresponding samples for your industry.
