Three Form of Precipitated Silica
There are three forms of precipitated silica: powder, microsphere, and block, each with different characteristics and advantages, as follows:
Powdered silica.
Characteristics: Powdered silica is usually a white amorphous fine powder with a wide particle size range, high specific surface area, and low porosity. The silicon atoms in its surface layer form multiple hydroxyl groups due to unsaturated valence bonds, exhibiting strong adsorption and chemical inertness.
Advantages: Powdered silica has good dispersibility and adsorption properties, suitable for applications that require high specific surface area, such as rubber reinforcement agents, coating additives, etc
In addition, it has high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and good electrical insulation, making it suitable for use as industrial fillers and catalyst carriers
.
Microsphere shaped silica
Characteristics: Microsphere shaped silica is a spherical or quasi spherical particle with high purity and good dispersibility. Its surface is smooth and the particle size is uniform, suitable for preparation through specific processes, such as controlling parameters such as sodium silicate concentration and pH value.
Advantages: Micro bead shaped silica, due to its spherical structure and high purity, has excellent fluidity and stability, and is widely used in coatings, inks, plastics, and other fields, which can improve the transparency and glossiness of products. In addition, its low oil absorption value and high water absorption make it important for applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
.
Chunky silica
Characteristics: Blocky silica is usually a white solid block or particle with a larger particle size and a more regular morphology. Its density is relatively high.
Advantages: Due to its larger particle size and higher density, block shaped silica has good mechanical strength and wear resistance, making it suitable for use as a rubber reinforcing agent and filler
In addition, it has excellent heat aging resistance and low mixing cost, making it an important raw material in tire manufacturing.
The three forms of precipitated silica each have their own characteristics and advantages, and powdered silica is suitable for applications that require high specific surface area; Microsphere shaped silica is suitable for use in coatings and cosmetics due to its spherical structure and high purity; Blocky silica is widely used in the rubber industry due to its mechanical strength and wear resistance.