Potassium Silicate B4

Potassium Silicates are solutions in water, manufactured from varying proportions of Potassium Oxide (K2O) and Silicon Oxide (SiO2).

Potassium Silicates are produced by melting potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) with specially selected silica sand at high temperatures. The resulting product is an amorphous crystal that can be dissolved by special processes to produce solutions in a wide variety of forms.

Appearance: Viscous liquid

Odor: Odorless

Table

In the welding industry: Manufacture of electric arc welding electrodes. The role of silicates is fundamental as a binder for the different solid components that make up the electrode rod.

In the soap industry: Soaps. Potassium silicates are recommended for liquid and paste soaps. They increase the foaming capacity of these soaps, effectively suspend dirt, and prevent the redeposition of washed-off dirt. Potassium silicates offer the advantages of greater solubility and miscibility than sodium silicates.

In the construction industry: Cements. The high refractoriness of potassium silicate suggests its use in refractory specialties. It can be used in chemical-resistant mortars.

Other applications: Silica Gel. It can be used to manufacture special catalysts when the presence of sodium ions is undesirable. Potassium silicate gels have also been used as a culture medium in plant physiology, mycology, and other fields.

Antifreeze. Potassium silicates can be used in ethylene glycol antifreeze formulations to protect ferrous metal parts in engines. Potassium silicates are preferred over sodium silicates for this application because they have a much higher tolerance for glycols than sodium silicates.