Uses of Sodium Silicate, Also Known as Water Glass

Ever seen those "magic solutions" that seem to grow rocks in water? That's water glass, a unique solution that solidifies into a glassy solid as water evaporates. Chemically, water glass is Na2O3Si, sodium metasilicate, or sodium silicate. This remarkable chemical is provided to you by Bell Chem, your industrial chemical supplier. Read below how water glass can benefit your industry.

For a little background, water glass is created from an aqueous solution of sodium silicate. When the water in the solution evaporates, the solute is a glassy solid. It is generally sold as a white powder, as a viscous liquid, or as a glassy solid. Depending on its form, water glass is ready for myriad uses in industries across the world.

Automotive Repair 

Head gaskets often become brittle over time, which can cause leaks where they intersect with metal surfaces. Water glass seals these leaks, allowing the gaskets to perform for longer stretches of time. 

As a Cement 

Water glass is the adhesive for paper, glass, leather, and a large range of boxes, from cereal to industrial shipping cartons. It is specifically used in situations involving high heat, such as baking or in situations where contact with an open flame is common.

Ceramics

Water glass adheres to intersecting ceramic surfaces, tightly bonding them before the entire piece is fired in a kiln. During slip preparation, water glass becomes a deflocculant, assuring an even suspension of product. The characteristic crackled pattern on many new goods is the result of a layer of water glass on the surface.

Drilling

When industrial drills meet granular formations with a high permeability, it seriously dulls the drill bit. Injecting water glass and a catalyst, such as an ester, into the soil will form a polymerized gel to stabilize the soil, and increase its strength and stiffness.

Food and Beverages 

Bathing fresh eggs with a water glass solution seals the open pores of the outer egg shell, preventing bacteria from entering. With this coating, eggs can remain fresh and unrefrigerated for months. 

Manufacturing

In any industry, the ubiquitous white silica gel packets placed into packaged goods are created with more viscous water glass; its silicon-to-water ratio is much greater to create this viscosity. Their function is to control moisture inside boxes or packing crates. This ability to adhere works strikingly well to form castings. Sand grains with the addition of water glass bind so solidly they form industrial castings ready to accept molten metal within foundries.

Powdered Laundry and Dish Detergents 

When water glass is combined with water, the solution is alkaline, which is ideal for removing oils and fats, breaking down proteins and starches, and neutralizing acids. 

Textiles 

A coating of water glass on many surfaces, including wood, gives a level of passive fire control to the object. For materials utilized outside, water glass acts as a barrier for passive insect control.

Wastewater Treatment

A small amount of water glass added to municipal water treatment plants or wastewater treatment plants acts as a flocculant, combining heavy metals so their weight causes them to sink to the bottom of the tank.

Bell Chem is an industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including the remarkable water glass. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.