Uses of Silica

Plenty of silica is available on the earth's crust.4. One of the important uses is that silica has a
Silica is considered to be one of the mosthigh resistance to scrape. This is because the silica
common mineral which we are able to find in apresent is fused silica. Fused silica is the only type
huge quantity on and below the surface of earth.of silica which is pure in nature.
Mainly, minerals which are found on rocks contain5. Silica is used in thermal industries because it has
silica as its main element. In many sources, silica isgot an important property of stabilization in
present viz. huge hills, sandstone, quartz crystals.context of electricity. The main reason behind this
It is also found in quartz sand which is commonlyis that silica has got a very low thermal expansion.
known as silica, quartzite, sand, flint, Tripoli,6. A major use of silica is in the glass industry. It
diatomite, opal, etc. Also you can find them inis the main substance used in the production of
different forms such as agate and onyx and soglasses also known as silicate glasses.
on. Because of the change in color, the presence7. Silica has a very high melting point. This is the
of silica is seen i.e. they are found in yellow topazreason why it is considered to be a good
which is also commonly known as purple quartz,refractory material.
false topaz, milky quartz which is also known as8. Silica also is a great electrical insulator. This is
rose quartz. It is also known as smoky quartz.the reason why silicon is highly in demand in the
Following are some of the main uses of silica:electrical industry.
1. Major use of silica is done in the steel industry.9. Silica is also very useful in organic matters. An
2. Silica acts as a great semiconductor. This isadequate amount of silica has to be present in the
mainly because of the great internal electronicbody which is useful for the bones. But this is
structure. This is the reason why silicon is usedreplenished by the food we eat. Also, arthritis is
for making ICs.treated by the help of silica.
3. Silica is one of the main ingredients which are10. Also silica is used as a supplement for
used in the initial stages of building silicate glassesremaining fit also. If now supplements are taken,
and ceramics. Silica can be obtained in two formsthere wouldn't be many problems in old age.
namely crystalline form and also in amorphousThus silica is one of the most abundantly found
form also known commonly as vitreous silica.mineral on the crust of earth. Also, it is highly in
These are found mainly on silicon compounds. Alsodemand. It is used in electronic, glass, steel, etc.
they are formed in non crystal form on theindustries as the primary material.
silicon's surface.