Application
The application segment of the sodium silicate market refers to the various uses of sodium silicate in different industries. Sodium silicate is commonly used in the detergent, paper and pulp, metal casting, and water treatment industries. In the detergent industry, sodium silicate is used as a builder, which helps to remove dirt and grease from clothing. In the paper and pulp industry, it is used as a binding agent in the production of paper. In the metal casting industry, sodium silicate is used as a binder for sand molds. In the water treatment industry, it is used as a coagulant to remove impurities from water. The diverse applications of sodium silicate make it a versatile product with a wide range of uses across various industries.
Form
The form segment of the sodium silicate market refers to the physical forms in which sodium silicate is available. Sodium silicate is primarily available in two forms, liquid and solid. Liquid sodium silicate, also known as water glass, is a clear, viscous liquid that is soluble in water. Solid sodium silicate is typically available in the form of granules or powder. The choice of form depends on the specific application and the ease of handling and transportation. The availability of sodium silicate in different forms allows for flexibility in its usage across different industries and applications.
Production Process
The production process segment of the sodium silicate market refers to the methods used to manufacture sodium silicate. There are two primary production processes for sodium silicate: the liquid phase process and the solid phase process. In the liquid phase process, sodium silicate is produced by reacting silica sand and sodium carbonate at high temperatures in a furnace. The resulting sodium silicate solution is then cooled and stored in liquid form. In the solid phase process, sodium silicate is produced by fusing silica sand and sodium carbonate in a furnace to form solid sodium silicate, which is then crushed into granules or powder. The choice of production process can impact the quality and properties of sodium silicate, making it an important consideration for manufacturers and end-users.