Sodium silicate

Agent Name
Sodium silicate
CAS Number
1344-09-8
Formula
Unspecified
Major Category
Other Classes
Sodium silicate formula graphical representation
Synonyms
49FG; Agrosil LR; Agrosil S; Britesil; Britesil H 20; Britesil H 24; Carsil; Carsil (silicate); DP 222; Dryseq; Dupont 26; HK 30 (van); L 96 (salt); Metso 99; N 38; Portil A; Pyramid 1; Pyramid 8; Q 70; Sikalon; Silica E; Silica K; Silica N; Silica R; Silican; Silicic acid, sodium salt; Sodium polysilicate; Sodium sesquisilicate; Sodium silicate; Sodium silicate glass; Sodium silicate solution; Sodium siliconate; Sodium water glass; Soluble glass; Star; Waterglass; as Bond 1001; [ChemIDplus] CRYSTAMET; DISODIUM METASILICATE; DISODIUM MONOSILICATE; Kieselsaure, Natriumsalz; Metasilicate de sodium anhydre ou pentahydrate; METSO 20; METSO BEADS 2048; METSO BEADS, DRYMET; METSO PENTABEAD 20; MSIS; Natrium Silikat Granulat; Natriumsilikat; Natriumsilikat spruehgetrocknet; Natronwasserglas; ORTHOSIL; Sesquisilicate et orthosilicate de sodium; Silicato sodico; Silicato sodico vitreo; Silicon sodium oxide; SIS; SODIUM METASILICATE; Sodium sesquisilicate; Sodium waterglass; Verre soluble; Vidrio soluble; Wasserglas Fest; WATER GLASS; [IUCLID] UN1759
Category
Salts, Basic
Description
Deliquescent powder or flakes; [CAMEO] Amorphous lumps, aqueous solution, or spray-dried powder with approximately 20% residual water; [Reference #1]
Sources/Uses
Used in catalysts, silica gels, detergents, bleaching paper and textiles, ore treatments, foundry molds, and drilling fluids; Also used to waterproof cement and as a fireproofing agent; [Hawley] Used as a starting material for zeolites and silica catalysts, as an adhesive and binder, corrosion inhibitor, penetrating sealant, in cements, drilling fluids, for fireproofing wood, paper, and fabric, as a detergent booster, in waste water treatment, and as shell coating to preserve eggs; [Merck Index] Used as a flocculant to separate solid from liquid phases in aqueous suspensions; [Ullmann] Alkali metal silicates are used as starting materials for products like silicas and zeolites, in detergents and cleaners, and pulp and paper production; Also used to a lesser extent in soil stabilization and sealing, adhesives and binders (construction materials, paperboard and cardboard, ceramic binders, refractories, welding rods, and foundry molds and cores), surface coatings (titanium dioxide production, paints for masonry and glass, and spray coatings for tunnel construction and mining), water/wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery, and textile processing (bleach and dye stabilizing); [OECD SIDS: Soluble Silicates] Used as an anticaking agent, drying agent, humectant, and processing aid for foods; [FDA]
Comments
General term for a group of compounds with varying quantities of sodium oxide (Na2-O) and silica (Si2-O); Aqueous solutions are characterized by the weight ratio of silica to sodium oxide, usually 1.6 to 3.8; Solutions are strongly alkaline and corrosive; [Merck Index] A strong skin and eye irritant; Toxic by ingestion at high doses; [CAMEO] A medium strong base in solution; 25-50% Aqueous solution: Aerosol is a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] Corrosive to rabbit skin (when tested at 53.5% molar ratio of 1.6 and 82% molar ratio of 2.4); Sodium metasilicate was not sensitizing in a local lymph node assay study of mice; Similar uses and adverse effects are expected from the hydrous and anhydrous forms (Sodium metasilicate pentahydrate, Sodium metasilicate nonahydrate, Sodium metasilicate, Sodium silicate, and Potassium silicate). The main hazard of soluble silicates is their alkalinity and potentially corrosive effects on metal and tissue. [Ullmann]
Biomedical References
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Exposure Assessment

Explanatory Notes
The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Corrosive solid, n.o.s."

Adverse Effects

Dermatotoxin
Skin burns

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: