Silica sand,� also known as quartz sand, white sand, or industrial sand,� is made up of two main elements: silica and oxygen. Specifically, silica sand is made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2).
The most common form of SiO2 is quartz â?? a chemically inert and relatively hard mineral. SiO2 grades at a 7 out of 10 on� Mohs hardness scale, making it ideal for use as� filtration media� and� abrasive blasting sands.
Although quartz is often white or colourless, it can come in a wide range of shades. The colour of each sand deposit depends largely on the variety of minerals and rock detritus that make up the resource.
In order to be considered a silica sand the material must contain at least 95% SiO2 and less than 0.6% iron oxide. If the sand does not meet this criteria, it will qualify as whatâ??s often called â??regularâ?? sand.
Regular sand,� also known as feldspathic sand, brown sand, or construction sand, will always contain some silica, but only in amounts less than 95%. For example, typical brown sand used for� concrete applications� can contain up to 80% SiO2, along with varying amounts of iron, carbonate, potassium, and other trace elements/minerals.
Product Name/Trade Names:
Silica quartz powder (flour) sold under various names: GLASS POWDER, FLINT SILICA, Fine Ground Silica.
Chemical Name or Synonym:
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) Powder. Silica Powder, Silica Quartz Powder, Quartz Powder, Quartz, Crystalline Silica.
White Silica Quartz Powder with no odor.
Use of the Substance/ Preparation
Main Applications (non-exhaustive list): abrasives, brick, ceramics, foundry castings, glass, grout, hydraulic frac (proppant) sand, mortar, paint and coatings, silicate chemistry, silicone rubber, thermoset plastics.
