Density of Fumed Silica
Fumed silica is a form of silicon dioxide, which is the basic substance of ordinary sand. Its bulk density is a crucial factor in some of its industrial applications, such as its use as an abrasive to polish semiconductors.
-
Density
-
Density is the mass, or the amount of material, that a given volume of a substance contains. The density of fumed silica is 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter, according to the London Centre for Nanotechnology. As such, its density is the same as most other types of silica, though the density of quartz is slightly greater.
Production
-
A hot flame reduces the particle size of silica so that each particle measures in the nanometer range. The bulk density of fumed silica depends on the final size of the particles.
-
Bulk Density
-
Bulk density is the density of a loosely packed material. The bulk density of fumed silica is roughly 2 to 3 lbs. per cubic foot, or 0.03 to 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter (cc).
-
References
- UK Parliament: Response from the London Centre for Nanotechnology to the House of Lords...
- Free Patents Online: Method for Increasing Bulk Density of Fillers
- Free Patents Online: Semiconductor Polishing Composition
- United Abrasives Manufacturers' Association: Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in the ...
- "Serway's College Physics"; Jerry S. Faughn, Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille and Charles A. Bennett; 2006
- Informaworld: Pyrogenic Silica and Alumina
- Photo Credit beach sand close-up background image by kubais from Fotolia.com