The difference between silica sol and water glass

Silica sol and water glass are products of two different materials.

Silica sol is mainly composed of silicon dioxide, while water glass is an alkaline liquid glass.

The two are different in chemical properties, physical properties, application fields and action mechanisms.

1. Chemical properties

The main component of silica sol is silicon dioxide, which has relatively stable chemical properties and does not react with most substances.

Water glass is an alkaline liquid, mainly composed of silicon oxide and sodium oxide, and can react with acidic substances.

2. Physical properties

Silica sol is a porous material with strong hygroscopicity and dryness, not easy to deform and high temperature resistance.

Water glass is a liquid glass, which is colorless, transparent or yellow-green or brown liquid, and is colloidal or solid at room temperature.

3. Application fields

Silica sol is widely used in electronics, medicine, food, cosmetics, clothing, furniture, luggage, toys and other industries,

mainly used for moisture absorption, moisture resistance, mildew resistance, preservation, packaging and other aspects.

Water glass is mainly used in the production of cement, ceramics, pigments, detergents, silica gel, etc., mainly for gelation, reinforcement and coating.

4. Mechanism of action

The hygroscopic mechanism of silica sol is to adsorb moisture molecules in the air on its surface through its large porous surface area, thereby playing a hygroscopic role.

Water glass reacts with carbon dioxide to generate silicon dioxide, and then forms a colloidal substance, which is used as coatings, sealants, etc. in the fields of construction and industry.