Products
Potassium Silicates
Potassium Silicates are a family of chemicals with a range of physical and chemical properties. The character of the products is determined by the ratio of silica to alkali and by the solids content. Although Potassium Silicates resemble Sodium Silicates in their basic composition, their industrial uses vary significantly.
Compared with Sodium Silicate solutions, Potassium Silicate solutions are somewhat more viscous. Their viscosity is affected by concentration and temperature. The addition of a small amount of water very quickly changes syrupy solution to a solution approaching water in viscosity. Viscosity also diminishes when the composition becomes more alkaline without change in solids content. Like all an hydrous silicate glasses, Potassium Silicate products soften at high temperatures and gradually become fluid enough to flow freely.
Compared with Sodium Silicate solutions, Potassium Silicate solutions are somewhat more viscous. Their viscosity is affected by concentration and temperature. The addition of a small amount of water very quickly changes syrupy solution to a solution approaching water in viscosity. Viscosity also diminishes when the composition becomes more alkaline without change in solids content. Like all an hydrous silicate glasses, Potassium Silicate products soften at high temperatures and gradually become fluid enough to flow freely.
Sodium-Potassium Silicate Mixtures
The combination of Sodium and Potassium Silicates creates special properties not found in using each product separately. In liquid mixes, for example, it is possible to vary viscosity without varying total solids content or overall silica to alkali mole ratio.
This effect depends on the viscosity peak, relative to the individual components, shown by certain aqueous Sodium – Potassium Silicate mixtures. Conversely, anhydrous Potassium – Sodium Silicate glass of similar composition exhibits a viscosity minimum at high temperature. This means the availability of an especially low softening point or optimum fluxing effect. Such a double glass has also been found to possess greater electrical resistance than straight Potassium Silicate glass.
This effect depends on the viscosity peak, relative to the individual components, shown by certain aqueous Sodium – Potassium Silicate mixtures. Conversely, anhydrous Potassium – Sodium Silicate glass of similar composition exhibits a viscosity minimum at high temperature. This means the availability of an especially low softening point or optimum fluxing effect. Such a double glass has also been found to possess greater electrical resistance than straight Potassium Silicate glass.
Advantages over Sodium Silicates
Dissolves more rapidly in water, or with equal speed at lower temperature.
Coatings do not develop white carbonatefilm or efflorescence on exposure to the atmosphere. With Sodium Slicates,hydration of Sodium Sulphate is destructive to Silicate based mortars in sulphuric acid service. Potassium Silicate eliminates this problem. Consequently, Potassium Silicate is preferred for decorative coatings, paints and ceramic binders.
Potassium Silicates are used in formulation of liquid heavy-duty detergents and also in built liquid and paste Potassium soaps.
Absence of Sodium in Potassium Silicate is essential in settling television phosphor screens mid in the manufacture of certain special silica gels.
Where Potassium is a necessary ingredient, it is convenient to introduce it as a silicate. This is certain catalyst gels and in Welding rod coatings.
Most siliceous mole ratios are available. It is possible to manufacture Potassium Silicate in ratios which are relatively rich in silica and low in alkali.
At the same silica to alkali mole ratio, Potassium Silicates soften and flow at a higher temperature than corresponding Sodium Silicates. Potassium Silicate can, therefore be used in high-temperature binders of various types.
Potassium Silicate solutions are not tacky, and mortars prepared from them do not stick to the trowel. This can reduce labour costs for brick laying in acid-fast construction.
Anhydrous Potassium Silicate glass is less conductive, i.e. it has greater electrical resistance, and can therefore be used in cementing electrical components, bonding reconstituted mica , inputting compounds, etc.
Coatings do not develop white carbonatefilm or efflorescence on exposure to the atmosphere. With Sodium Slicates,hydration of Sodium Sulphate is destructive to Silicate based mortars in sulphuric acid service. Potassium Silicate eliminates this problem. Consequently, Potassium Silicate is preferred for decorative coatings, paints and ceramic binders.
Potassium Silicates are used in formulation of liquid heavy-duty detergents and also in built liquid and paste Potassium soaps.
Absence of Sodium in Potassium Silicate is essential in settling television phosphor screens mid in the manufacture of certain special silica gels.
Where Potassium is a necessary ingredient, it is convenient to introduce it as a silicate. This is certain catalyst gels and in Welding rod coatings.
Most siliceous mole ratios are available. It is possible to manufacture Potassium Silicate in ratios which are relatively rich in silica and low in alkali.
At the same silica to alkali mole ratio, Potassium Silicates soften and flow at a higher temperature than corresponding Sodium Silicates. Potassium Silicate can, therefore be used in high-temperature binders of various types.
Potassium Silicate solutions are not tacky, and mortars prepared from them do not stick to the trowel. This can reduce labour costs for brick laying in acid-fast construction.
Anhydrous Potassium Silicate glass is less conductive, i.e. it has greater electrical resistance, and can therefore be used in cementing electrical components, bonding reconstituted mica , inputting compounds, etc.
