Sodium Silicate Solution - Adhesive for Cardboard, Detergent
Builder, Foundry Sand Binder
Sodium silicate, commonly known as water glass or liquid glass,
features the general chemical formula Na₂O*nSiO₂ and represents a
family of alkali metal silicates. This versatile product typically
appears as a colorless, bluish-gray, or slightly reddish viscous aqueous solution, though solid forms such as powder or lumps are also available.
Its core properties include a strongly alkaline solution, excellent adhesive and film-forming
capabilities, colloidal characteristics, and the ability to react
with various polyvalent metal ions to form insoluble silicate gels.
As a long-established, low-cost, and versatile inorganic chemical raw material, sodium silicate serves foundational roles across multiple basic
industries including paper product bonding, detergents, foundry operations, mineral
processing, building material waterproofing, and chemical corrosion
protection.
Core Applications and Industrial Uses
Packaging and Paper Products Industry: Sodium silicate serves as a classic inorganic adhesive in
corrugated cardboard production lines, where its extremely low cost
and fast setting provide sufficient initial bond strength. This
makes it particularly suitable for manufacturing heavy-duty
packaging boxes without high waterproofing requirements. Additional
applications include bonding paper tubes and laminated paper
products.
Detergent and Cleaning Industry: Functioning as a builder, buffer, and corrosion inhibitor, sodium
silicate softens hard water by precipitating or dispersing calcium
and magnesium ions. It maintains wash liquor alkalinity and
prevents detergent corrosion on metal equipment, with particular
importance in automatic dishwasher detergents and metal degreasing
cleaners.
Foundry and Refractory Industry: In the CO₂ process, sodium silicate solution mixed with silica
sand creates molds and cores. When gassed with carbon dioxide, a
rapid chemical reaction forms a silica gel that firmly binds sand
grains, achieving quick hardening suitable for single-piece or
small-batch casting production. It also serves as a binder for
refractory castables and insulating bricks.
Chemicals, Mining, and Building Materials: This versatile material acts as an ore flotation agent, building
material waterproofing component, chemical corrosion protection
additive, and textile processing auxiliary. Specific applications
include formulating silicate-based sealers, soil stabilization,
producing silica gel and molecular sieves, and serving as a dyeing
auxiliary and fire-retardant treatment agent.
Product Specifications and Parameters
A core parameter of sodium silicate is its Modulus (M), representing the molar ratio of SiO₂ to Na₂O (M = nSiO₂ / Na₂O).
The modulus significantly influences alkalinity, viscosity,
adhesive properties, and reactivity, with common ranges spanning
from 2.0 to 3.5. Additional important specifications include Baumé degree (°Be) or solids content, density, and viscosity. The product is supplied primarily in liquid form, with solid
powder alternatives including anhydrous or pentahydrate forms.
Handling and Storage Guidelines
- Strong Alkalinity: Corrosive to skin and eyes; protective equipment is essential
during handling
- Curing Characteristic: As an adhesive, its curing process is irreversible, requiring
timely equipment cleaning
- Storage Conditions: Liquid products may crystallize or gel at low temperatures,
necessitating temperature control. Solid products are hygroscopic
and may experience caking
Our sodium silicate solution features stable modulus, accurate concentration, low impurity content, and
consistent quality. We provide customized products with different moduli and
concentrations to carton manufacturers, detergent producers,
foundries, chemical plants, mining operations, and building
material companies. For specific challenges regarding bond
strength, setting speed, cleaning performance, or chemical reaction
requirements, we offer professional selection advice and technical
solutions.
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