Product Description
Being a customer oriented firm, we are engaged in supplying Fumed Silica for our widely spread clients. It is processed at our vendors unit using top-notch quality chemical compounds and latest technology by skilled professionals. This chemical is tested by quality controllers at our unit using latest techniques at our unit before dispatching. This has gained us high rising demands in the market. Fumed Silica is offered by us at highly pocket friendly prices as against that of our competitors.
Fumed Silica Properties:
Fumed silica, also known as pyrogenic silica, is a fine particulate form of silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is produced through the vapor-phase hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) in a flame of hydrogen and oxygen.
Here are some key properties of fumed silica:
1. Particle Size: Fumed silica particles are extremely small, typically with a diameter in the range of 5 to 50 nanometers. The small particle size gives fumed silica unique properties and applications.
2. Surface Area: Fumed silica has an exceptionally high surface area, typically ranging from 50 to 400 square meters per gram (m2/g). The high surface area is due to the fine particle size and results in its excellent adsorption and dispersing capabilities.
3. Porosity: Fumed silica particles possess a high degree of porosity, which contributes to their ability to absorb and hold onto liquids and other substances. The porosity also aids in enhancing flow properties and providing reinforcement in various materials.
4. Surface Chemistry: The surface of fumed silica particles contains numerous hydroxyl (-OH) groups, which makes it highly hydrophilic (water-attracting). The hydroxyl groups enable fumed silica to form hydrogen bonds with water and other polar substances.
5. Thixotropy: Fumed silica exhibits thixotropic behavior, meaning it undergoes a reversible transformation from a gel-like state to a fluid-like state under shear stress. This property is utilized in various applications, such as thickening and stabilizing formulations like coatings, adhesives, and paints.
6. Rheological Control: Fumed silica is widely used as a rheology modifier due to its ability to control the flow behavior of liquids and pastes. It imparts thickening, anti-settling, and anti-sagging properties to formulations, resulting in improved stability and workability.
7. Reinforcing Agent: Fumed silica can act as a reinforcing filler in composite materials, enhancing mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear resistance, and dimensional stability. It is commonly used in rubber, plastics, and composites.
8. Thermal Stability: Fumed silica exhibits excellent thermal stability, withstanding high temperatures without degradation. This property makes it suitable for applications where heat resistance is required, such as in coatings, sealants, and insulation materials.
9. Chemical Inertness: Fumed silica is chemically inert and has a low reactivity towards most substances. It is resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents, and oxidizing agents, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in various industries.
10. Light Scattering: Due to its small particle size and high refractive index, fumed silica scatters light effectively. This property is utilized in applications such as optical coatings, paints, and cosmetics.
Applications of Fumed Silica:
1. Adhesives and Sealants: Fumed silica is used as a thickening and thixotropic agent in adhesive and sealant formulations. It improves viscosity control, prevents sagging, and enhances the adhesion and performance of the final product.
2. Coatings and Paints: Fumed silica is used as a rheology modifier in coatings and paints. It provides anti-settling properties, enhances viscosity control, and improves the suspension and dispersion of pigments, resulting in better stability, flow, and leveling.
3. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Fumed silica is used in a variety of cosmetic and personal care formulations. It acts as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and suspending agent in products such as creams, lotions, gels, and hair care products.
4. Pharmaceuticals: Fumed silica finds applications in the pharmaceutical industry as a flow aid, anti-caking agent, and glidant. It improves the flow properties of powders, facilitates tablet production, and enhances the dissolution of active ingredients.
5. Food and Beverages: Fumed silica is used in the food and beverage industry as an anti-caking agent, viscosity enhancer, and stabilizer. It improves the flow properties of powdered ingredients, prevents clumping, and stabilizes emulsions and suspensions.
6. Composites and Rubber: Fumed silica acts as a reinforcing filler in composites and rubber products. It enhances mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear resistance, and dimensional stability. It is commonly used in tires, rubber seals, gaskets, and composite materials.
7. Paints and Inks: Fumed silica is used in the formulation of high-performance paints and inks. It provides thixotropic behavior, improves rheological properties, and enhances the dispersion of pigments, resulting in improved color development, flow, and leveling.
8. Adjuvants and Pesticides: Fumed silica is utilized as an adjuvant in agrochemical formulations. It improves the suspension and dispersion of active ingredients, enhances sprayability, and promotes better coverage and adhesion on plant surfaces.
9. Batteries and Energy Storage: Fumed silica is used in battery technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, as a conductive additive and a rheology modifier. It improves the stability, performance, and lifetime of batteries.
10. Construction and Insulation Materials: Fumed silica is used in construction materials, such as adhesives, sealants, and insulation products. It enhances the mechanical strength, thermal stability, and moisture resistance of these materials.
FAQ:
Q1: What is fumed silica?
A: Fumed silica, also known as pyrogenic silica, is a fine particulate form of silicon dioxide (SiO2) produced through the vapor-phase hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4). It consists of extremely small particles with a high surface area.
Q2: What are the advantages of using fumed silica?
A: Fumed silica offers several advantages, including excellent thickening and thixotropic properties, high surface area, reinforcement capabilities, thermal stability, chemical inertness, and light scattering properties. It is also versatile and finds applications in various industries.
Q3: How is fumed silica used in coatings and paints?
A: Fumed silica is used as a rheology modifier in coatings and paints. It helps control viscosity, prevents sagging, improves suspension and dispersion of pigments, and enhances stability, flow, and leveling properties.
Q4: Can fumed silica be used in cosmetics and personal care products?
A: Yes, fumed silica is commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. It acts as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and suspending agent in creams, lotions, gels, and hair care products.
Q5: Is fumed silica safe for use in food and beverages?
A: Yes, fumed silica is considered safe for use in food and beverages. It is used as an anti-caking agent, viscosity enhancer, and stabilizer in various food products, helping improve flow properties and preventing clumping.
Q6: What role does fumed silica play in the pharmaceutical industry?
A: Fumed silica is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a flow aid, anti-caking agent, and glidant. It improves the flow properties of powders, facilitates tablet production, and enhances the dissolution of active ingredients.
Q7: How does fumed silica contribute to the reinforcement of composites and rubber?
A: Fumed silica acts as a reinforcing filler in composites and rubber products. It improves mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear resistance, and dimensional stability, making it useful in tires, rubber seals, gaskets, and composite materials.
Q8: Is fumed silica compatible with battery technologies?
A: Yes, fumed silica is used in battery technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, as a conductive additive and rheology modifier. It helps improve stability, performance, and lifetime of batteries.
Q9: Can fumed silica be used in construction materials?
A: Yes, fumed silica finds applications in construction materials like adhesives, sealants, and insulation products. It enhances mechanical strength, thermal stability, and moisture resistance.
Q10: Where can I purchase fumed silica?
A: Fumed silica is available from various chemical and specialty suppliers. It can be purchased online or through industrial supply channels.