Fumed silica

Fumed silica (CAS number 112945-52-5), also known as pyrogenic silica because it is produced in a flame, consists of microscopic droplets of amorphous silica fused into branched, chainlike, three-dimensional secondary particles which then agglomerate into tertiary particles. The resulting powder has an extremely low bulk density and high surface area. Its three-dimensional structure results in viscosity-increasing, thixotropic behavior when used as a thickener or reinforcing filler.[1]

Not to be confused with silica fume.
"Aerosil" redirects here. Not to be confused with aerosol.
Fumed silica with surface area of 130 m2/g

Properties

Fumed silica has a very strong thickening effect. Primary particle size is 5–50 nm.[2] The particles are non-porous and have a surface area of 50–600 m2/g. The density is 160–190 kg/m3.

Production

Fumed silica is made from flame pyrolysis of silicon tetrachloride or from quartz sand vaporized in a 3000 °C electric arc.[3] Major global producers are Evonik (who sells it under the name Aerosil), Cabot Corporation (Cab-O-Sil), Wacker Chemie (HDK), Dow Corning, Heraeus (Zandosil), Tokuyama Corporation (Reolosil), OCI (Konasil), Orisil (Orisil) and Xunyuchem(XYSIL).[4]

Applications

Fumed silica serves as a universal thickening agent and an anticaking agent (free-flow agent) in powders. Like silica gel, it serves as a desiccant. It is used in cosmetics for its light-diffusing properties. It is used as a light abrasive, in products like toothpaste. Other uses include filler in silicone elastomer and viscosity adjustment in paints, coatings, printing inks, adhesives and unsaturated polyester resins.[5] Fumed silica readily forms a network structure within bitumen and enhances its elasticity.[6]

Health issues

Fumed silica is not listed as a carcinogen by OSHA, IARC, or NTP. Due to its fineness and thinness, fumed silica can easily become airborne, making it an inhalation hazard, capable of causing irritation.

See also

References
  1. Flörke, Otto W.; Graetsch, Heribert A.; Brunk, Fred; Benda, Leopold; Paschen, Siegfried; Bergna, Horacio E.; Roberts, William O.; Welsh, William A.; Libanati, Cristian; Ettlinger, Manfred; Kerner, Dieter; Maier, Monika; Meon, Walter; Schmoll, Ralf; Gies, Hermann; Schiffmann, Dietmar (15 April 2008). "Silica". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry: a23_583.pub3. doi:10.1002/14356007.a23_583.pub3. ISBN 978-3527306732.
  2. "Fumed Silica". American Elements. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  3. Garrett, P.R. (1992). Defoaming. Theory and Industrial applications. USA: CRC Press. pp. 239–240. ISBN 0-8247-8770-6.
  4. Fumed Silica Manufacturer Overview
  5. "Reade Fumed Silica Powder (SiO2)". Fumed Silica Powder (SiO2). reade.com. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  6. Zhou, Shengxiong; Li, Siqi; Yan, Chuanqi (2023-09-15). "Influence of fumed silica nanoparticles on the rheological and anti-aging properties of bitumen". Construction and Building Materials. 397: 132388. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132388. ISSN 0950-0618.
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