Washed Silica Sand: Essential for Modern Construction and Manufacturing

 

Washed Silica Sand

Composition and Properties of Washed Quartz Sand

Silica sand, also known as quartz sand, is composed mainly of small rounded quartz grains. Quartz is the most abundant mineral found in the earth's crust and makes up approximately 12% of the crust by weight. Silica sand is washed to remove impurities that may be present in the raw sand such as clay and dust particles. This washing process helps produce high purity silica sand suitable for various commercial and industrial applications.

Washed quartz sand is nearly pure silica or silicon dioxide (SiO2) and is chemically, physically and mechanically stable. It has a high melting point of approximately 1610°C and remains inert when mixed with water or acids. These properties make washed quartz sand ideal for a variety of applications that require strong and durable materials like glassmaking, foundry, abrasives, construction and more.

Uses of Washed Silica Sand in Construction

A significant portion of worldwide silica sand production is used in construction-related materials and applications. Washed Silica Sand Washed quartz sand forms the core component of concrete and is used in large volumes in road, building and infrastructure construction projects.

The sands provide strength and workability to wet concrete mixtures during pouring and setting. Their rounded particle shape and sizes from 0.1-1mm help improve the flow characteristics of concrete. Silica sands also improve long-term durability by producing a harder final concrete material that is more resistant to water penetration and damage over time.

Washed quartz sand are used not just in concrete but also as mortar sand in masonry cement and stucco applications. Their high silica content produces strong bonds that prevent cracking and deterioration when used to lay and join bricks, blocks and stones. Finely ground silica sands are used as an important extender in paints, plasters and wall putty due to their uniform particle size distribution and chemical resistance.

Glassmaking Industry's Dependence on Washed Quartz Sand

The glassmaking industry relies heavily on high-purity washed quartz sand as the primary raw material for producing flat glass, container glass and specialty glass. Over 70% of industrial silica sands globally are used for manufacturing glass products.

Washed sands undergo stringent specifications to ensure consistencies in chemical composition and physical properties batch after batch. Their high silica content ranging from 99.5-99.9% silicon dioxide serves as the fundamental 'glass former' uniting oxygen atoms during melting to create the amorphous sheet or molded glass. Impurities are strictly limited to low concentrations that do not interfere with glass clarity or stability.

Key factors like particle size distribution, sphericity, dust content and iron content play a critical role in determining sand performance during glass production processes like melting, refining and forming. Only washed quartz sand meeting these standards can deliver the quality, efficiency and process control required by modern glass plants.

Foundry Industry Depends on Select Grades of Washed Silica Sand

Specialty silica sand products find notable consumption in metal casting or foundry applications for producing molds, core and other molding materials. Due to the chemical inertness and high melting point of silica, selected washed sands act as an ideal matrix to produce molds that can withstand the heat and pressures involved in metal casting.

Particularly in ferrous metal casting of iron, steel and aluminum alloys, raw silica sands need to meet stringent specifications for refractory properties in addition to grain size distribution and purity. Special binders and additives are commonly mixed to impart necessary strength, permeability and collapsibility to the molding sand systems. Washed quartz sand optimized for foundry use enable casting intricate metal parts with excellent surface finish, dimensions and reproducibility.

Ensuring Steady Supply of High Purity Washed Quartz Sand

With growing global demand from major consuming industries, developing new washed quartz sand deposits and optimizing washing plant operations are ongoing activities. Capable reserves, sustainable mining and logistics also determine a supplier's ability to offer just-in-time delivery and stocking programs for customers. Mechanical processes paired with advanced washing techniques help consistently deliver high silica sand products meeting the most stringent industrial quality needs. As a foundation raw material for many vital sectors, a steady supply of high purity washed quartz sand remains imperative.

 

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