Quartz
Mineral: Quartz/ Silica
Quartz (silica, SiO2) is the core mineral within the Sibelco group and can be found in a broad number of applications, such as glass, ceramics and polymers.
When just processed to obtain a certain granulation, but not milled nor calcined, the products are called Silica Sand M.
Quartz can be characterised by:
- Relatively high Mohs hardness of 7
- Low electrical conductivity
- Easy to wet
- High inertness in various media
- Shape (depending on the source, quartz particles can have an angular or more rounded shape)
Note when using quartz: depending on the particle size distribution of the product, it can be labelled (STOT RE 2 or STOT RE 1). For more detailed information, visit www.safesilica.eu.
Basic properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
| Moisture | [%] | |
| pH | 7 | [-] |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 | [-] |
| Refractive index | 1.55 | [-] |
| Colour (D65/ 10°) L* | 93 – 96 | [-] |
| L.O.I. | < 0.3 | [%] |
| Density | 2.65 | [kg/ dm3] |
Product:
| Product | Grade | D50
[µm] |
| Silica Sand | M31 | 370 |
| M32 | 265 | |
| M34 | 170 |
Production locations: Dessel (BE)
Applications: Silica sand is being used in this application to reduce slippage of the top-layer. It also reflects the sunlight and therefore reduces the heating up of the surface and lowers its temperature and of the structure below.
Functionality: Safety, Cost
Cost reduction
Safety
