Sodium silicates (Sodium silicates, sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, water glass, liquid glass, sodium silicate, sodium meta-silicate, liquid glass, soluble glass, E550).
The chemical formula is Na2SiO3.
Types of sodium silicates:
- (i) Sodium Silicate);
- (ii) Sodium Meta-silicate (Sodium Metasilicate).
Application of Sodium Silicate:
- in the metallurgical industry — for briquetting metal fines and chips, for the manufacture of non-metallic models and as a bundle for rods and molds in metal foundries;
- in welding – for electrode coatings;
- in the metalworking industry – for quenching and electric cutting of metals;
- in the cosmetics industry — as an additive in soap, for the manufacture of washing pastes and powders;
- in the paper industry – for cardboard and paper packaging;
- in the rubber industry-for the production of white soot and other purposes.
Also, sodium silicate was widely used in the early 20th century as an egg preservative.