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Liquid sodium silicate is also known as liquid glass, water glass. Sodium Silicate reacts under acidic conditions to form a hard glassy gel. This property makes it useful as a bonding agent in cemented products such as concrete and abrasive wheels. It is also an excellent adhesive for glass or porcelain. A traditional use for dissolved water glass is as a preservative for eggs.
| Specifications | Derived from | Measured values | |
| Density | 40.00 - 42.0 | ISO 1687 | 41.0 |
| Dry Matter | 37.50 - 39.50 % | ISO 1692 + ISO 2124 | 38.38 |
| Molar Ratio | 3.30 - 3.50 | ISO 1689 | 3.37 |
| Weight Ratio | 3.20 - 3.40 | ISO 1689 | 3.27 |
| SiO2 | 28.50 - 30.50 % | ISO 2124 | 29.39 |
| Na2O | 8.50 - 9.50 % | ISO 1692 | 8.99 |
Sodium silicate is used, along with magnesium silicate in muffler repair and fitting paste. When dissolved in water, both sodium silicate, and magnesium silicate form a thick paste that is easy to apply. When the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine heats up to its operating temperature, the heat drives out all of the excess water from the paste. The silicate compounds that are left over have glass-like properties, making a somewhat permanent, brittle repair.
Sodium silicate can be used to seal leaks at the head gasket. Rather than pull the head, a jar of "liquid glass" is poured into the radiator and allowed to circulate. The Waterglass is injected via the radiator water into the hotspot at the motor. This technique works because at 93 C the sodium silicate loses water molecules to form a very powerful sealant that will not re-melt below 815 C. This approach is often used by disreputable used-car salespersons to disguise a leaking head gasket.
A sodium silicate repair of a leaking head gasket can hold for up to two years and even longer in some cases. The effect will be almost instant, and steam from the radiator water will stop coming out the exhaust within minutes of application. This repair only works with water to cylinder or water to Air applications and where the sodium silicate reaches the "conversion" temperature of 93 C.
Sodium silicate is also used currently as an exhaust system joint and crack sealer for repairing mufflers, resonators, tailpipes and other exhaust components, with and without fiberglass reinforcing tapes. In this application, the sodium silicate (60-70%) is typically mixed with Kaolin (40-30%), an aluminium silicate mineral, in order to make the sodium silicate "glued" joint opaque. The sodium silicate, however, is the high temperature adhesive; the kaolin serves simply as a compatible high temperature coloring agent.
Sodium silicate has been widely used as a general purpose cement, but especially for applications involving cementing objects exposed to heat or fire. For example, sodium silicate has been provided in home first-aid kits and used in medical practice as a glue for holding human skin together at surface cuts. It has also been used as a general purpose paper cement.
Sodium silicate is used as a timber treatment to preserve wood from insects and possesses some flame-retardant properties.
Concrete treated with a sodium silicate solution helps to significantly reduce porosity in most masonry products such as concrete, stucco, plasters. A chemical reaction occurs with the excess Ca(OH)2 in the concrete that permanently binds the silicates with the surface making them far more wearable and water repellent. It is generally advised to apply only after initial cure has taken place (7 days or so depending on conditions).
Water glass is a useful binder of solids, such as vermiculite and perlite. When blended with the aforementioned lightweight aggregates, water glass can be used to make hard, high-temperature insulation boards used for refractories, passive fire protection and high temperature insulations, such as moulded pipe insulation applications. When mixed with finely divided mineral powders, such as vermiculite dust (which is common scrap from the exfoliation process), one can produce high temperature adhesives. The intumescence disappears in the presence of finely divided mineral dust, whereby the waterglass becomes a mere matrix. Waterglass is inexpensive and abundantly available, which makes its use popular in many refractory applications.
Water glass is used as a water treatment in waste water treatment plants. Waterglass will bind to heavier molecules and drag them out of the water.
Water glass was used in the magic crystal garden toys from the 1980's. When waterglass was combined with a selection of different metals in solution, the waterglass would cause the metals to precipitate. Each metal would precipitate separately causing a different color stalagmite.
Sodium silicate in the paper & pulp industry
In the peroxide bleaching process of the Pulp and Paper industry sodium silicate functions as a transition metal ion chelate, a pH buffer, a stabiliser, a surface active agent and penetrant and as a corrosion control agent.
Chemiphase Ltd offer 'private' label services which incorporates having your requested products manufactured and branded as your own under strict ISO 9001 procedures, ensuring the highest quality products. All products manufactured at the plant can be labelled with your choice of company name, logo, contact details and delivered direct to site with product data sheets displaying your details and company logo.
All chemical products manufactured at Chemiphase Ltd are delivered with the appropriate safety labels required by UK, EU and international transport and hazard regulations.
Carriage to a UK Mainland address and VAT is already included in the price. Some types of chemicals are classified as hazardous and as such will be sent on a overnight carrier. A signature will be required on delivery. Once your order has been placed and the product has been shipped, you will be sent an email and text message with the tracking information included which will allow you to track the item and adjust if required.
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