The difference between colloidal silica and water glass

Different characteristics: Colloidal Silica   is a dispersion of nano-silicon dioxide particles in water or solvent, which is an odorless and non-toxic colloidal solution; water glass is in the state of water glass solution, which is called water glass in the south and effervescent alkali in the north. In a system with water as a dispersant, sodium silicate is a colorless, slightly transparent or translucent viscous liquid, and solid sodium silicate is a colorless, light transparent or translucent glass block.

Different uses: Silica sol is mainly used as a binder for various refractory materials, an additive in the coating industry, thin shell precision casting, catalyst preparation and carrier, and antisticking agent in the papermaking industry; water glass is used to produce a variety of silicate products in chemical production, a raw material for detergents in light industry, casting in the machinery industry, etc., and a variety of materials in the construction industry. It can be used to make silicon fertilizers in the agricultural field.

Different adhesives are used in the shell making process: the mold shell cast by colloidal silicahas better appearance quality, golden and smooth color, and higher dimensional accuracy; copper castings made of water glass are relatively rough and darker in color.

The drying and hardening methods of shell molds are different: water glass requires a hardener such as ammonium chloride, while silica sol shell molds are dried and hardened in a constant temperature and humidity space.