What is Silica Sand? Sources & Uses of Silica Sand

Silica sand is a type of sand that is made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is a naturally occurring material that is found in many parts of the world. Silica sand is used in a variety of applications, including glassmaking, sandblasting, and fracking.

What is Silica Sand?

Silica Sand is actually a granular material. It contains quartz and minute amounts of coal and clay. Sometimes it has minerals in it. People call it quartz sand too. Most importantly it is the industrial sand. Quartz over time turns into Silica sand gradually because of the influence of water and wind.

You have to use it when gradually it breaks into tiny granules. Silica sand or industrial sand is actually a type of high-purity quality Silica Sand product. But it is actually sized controlling the material. It is not like common concrete and asphalt gravels.

Sources of Silica Sand

The chemical sign of Silica is SiO_2. It is actually a group of minerals that is a mixture of Silicon and Oxygen. It is often got in the crystalline state. Because of weathering, plankton fossilization happens, and that results in crystallizing SiO_2.

Where is silica sand found: These are found in mines in most regions of the world. It is got in high hardness. Good Silica Sand Crystal depends more on the hardness ratio, silica ratio, and chemical structure of mines. Silica sand is mostly used wet and dry in the industry. The sources of Silica sand have a wide variety. These are yellow, beige, and white in color.

What is Silica Sand Used for

You can use Silica Sand in many sectors and that too in a very indescribable way. It is usually used as a raw material in most of the construction industry. It can be used both as dry and wet. Sometimes it is used as filtration sand, molding sand, and in glass production. If you think about industrial and manufacturing applications then deposits of silica-yielding products of at least 95% SiO₂ are preferred. Silica has a high melting point. It is hard. SiO₂ is used for industrial sand’s strength. In every industrial sector, silica sand is a very important element.

Flowings are the major fields where we see uses of silica sand:

1. For Glassmaking
2. Metal Casting
3. Metal Production
4. Construction
5. Paint and Coating
6. Filtration and Water Production
7. Oil and Gas Recovery

Brief descriptions of these uses are given below: 

1. Glassmaking

In glassmaking, the primary component is silica sand. Silica sand is used for all types of glass whatever the standard and specialty are. Every glass formulation needs its basic component.  Silica sand has clear and strong chemical purity. Glass-making cannot be possible without the help of silica sand. It is the primary determinant of color. Industrial Sand is used for producing flat glass for automotive and building use.  In Food, beverages, and tableware container production, it is also used. Silica Sand is needed for the production of fiberglass insulation. It reinforces glass fibers. It is also used in test tubes and other scientific tools.

2. Metal Casting

For the ferrous and nonferrous foundry industry, industrial sand is the most important part. the clay is molded to achieve the external shape. Metal parts are cast into the sand. Core sands can be mechanically recycled to produce new cores or molds. Metal parts need SiO₂ for their strength.

3. Metal Production

All those soap and dye productions are made from Silica Sand. The main ingredient of chemicals like Sodium silicate, silicon tetrachloride, and silicon gels is silicon sand. These chemicals are used to produce household and industrial cleaners.

4. Construction

For all those wide varieties of building and construction products, Silica Sand is the primary component for it. Ground Silica works as a functional extender to add durability and anti-corrosion. For epoxy-based compounds, sealants, and caulks it works like magic. In flooring compounds, mortar, cement, stucco, roofing shingles, and asphalt mixtures, whole-grain silica sand is used. It affects the chemical properties of the binding system.

5. Paint and Coating

To improve the appearance and durability of any kind of architectural and industrial paint and coatings, Silica Sand is used. Paint formulators always select micron-sized industrial sands. High-purity silica is able to contribute critical performances in properties like brightness and reflectance, color consistency, and oil absorption. It is also used in architectural paints. Silica fillers are able to improve tint retention, durability, and resistance to dirt, mildew, cracking, and weathering. Low oil absorption always allows increased pigment loading and improves the finish color.

6. Filtration and Water Production

For the filtration of drinking water, the processing of wastewater, and the production of water from wells, Silica Sand is used. Silica gravel is something that is used as packing material in deep water wells. Grain size distributions are also very necessary for efficient filtration bed operations.

7. Oil and Gas Recovery

Silica Sand is known as Frac Sand in the oil industry. Silica’s hardness is important here. The chemical purity in Frac Sand is able to attack in a corrosive environment. Whole grains deposits of Frac sand are able to attack in the corrosive environment. Whole grains deposit of Frac Sand is able to maximize formation cuttings.

Silica sand is a versatile material that has a wide range of uses. By understanding the different types of silica sand and their properties, you can choose the right type of sand for your specific needs.