Quartz/ Silica

Mineral: 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. When milled and dried, the products are referred to as Quartz flour and are called Silverbond M. (Note: when quartz is calcined (high temperature treatment), the crystal structure changes and the mineral is then referred to as cristobalite and products are called Sibelite-

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
Silica	M4	50
	M8	23
	M10	27

 

Production Location: Maastricht (NL), Brassington (UK)

FunctionalitiesThe presence of silica makes the surface of the membrane more IR reflective and consequently lowers the temperature of the underlying room/ building and therefore reducing the energy consumption and costs. It also helps the UV-resistance and hence improves the longevity of the roofing system.

The silica sands can be aplied in the final stage providing anti-skid properties to the top layer.