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The mysterious power of calcium silicate: Why is it so indispensable in building materials?
Calcium silicate, a seemingly ordinary compound, plays an important role in the field of building materials. Its use covers every aspect of modern construction, from concrete to insulation. This white, free-flowing powder is strong, cheap and non-toxic, and has become a core ingredient in many building materials. Why can calcium silicate take root in so many fields? This article will provide an in-depth look at its production process, structure, uses and its potential in future architecture.
Production and emergence
The production of calcium silicates usually involves mixing calcium oxide with silicon dioxide in varying proportions. This process is closely related to the production of Portland cement. It is also a by-product of the Pidgeon process, a major way to refine magnesium metal.
When calcium oxide reacts with silicon at high temperatures, stable calcium silicate is produced, while magnesium metal is released.
Structure
According to the verification of X-ray crystallography, calcium silicate is a dense solid with tetrahedral silicate units (SiO44-). Si-O-Ca bridges connect to calcium ions. There are two calcium sites in its structure, which are seven-coordinated and eight-coordinated.
Purpose
As a component of cement
Calcium silicate is the main component of Portland cement and plays a vital role in the strength and stability of cement.
High temperature insulation materials
As a safe alternative to asbestos, calcium silicate is often used in high-temperature insulation materials. Many industrial-grade pipe and equipment insulation materials are based on calcium silicate.
Passive fire protection
Calcium silicate is widely used in passive fire protection and fire protection materials, such as calcium silicate bricks or roof tiles. In Europe, calcium silicate is one of the very successful fire protection materials due to building regulations and safety guidelines.
Calcium silicate panels maintain excellent dimensional stability in humid environments, which allows them to be installed at an early stage of the building process.
Acid mine drainage repair
Calcium silicate, often called slag, is produced when molten iron is produced in a blast furnace from iron ore, silica and calcium carbonate. Highly refined calcium silicate aggregates can be used to remediate acid mine drainage.
Products as sealants
Calcium silicates can be found in roads or in the enclosures of fresh eggshells. When sodium silicate is used as a sealing agent, it reacts with calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate to form calcium silicate hydrate, creating a relatively impermeable material in the micropores.
Agriculture
Calcium silicate can also be used in agriculture as a source of silicon for plants to absorb. It is widely used in sugar cane and rice growing environments.
Other uses
Calcium silicates are also used as anti-caking agents in food preparation, including table salt as an antacid. It is approved as a safe food additive by the United Nations FAO and WHO agencies and is used in many products, labeled E552.
Conclusion
Calcium silicate has gradually become an indispensable component of building materials due to its non-toxic, high strength and low cost properties. With the improvement of environmental awareness and the advancement of construction technology, the application prospects of calcium silicate will become more extensive. So, what kind of surprises can we expect from calcium silicate in future building materials?
