FUMED SILICA

Fumed Silica readily forms a network structure within bitumen and enhances its elasticity.
Fumed silica is made from flame pyrolysis of silicon tetrachloride or from quartz sand vaporized in a 3000 °C electric arc.
Fumed Silica, also known as pyrogenic silica, is a very fine, high-surface-area form of silicon dioxide that is produced by flame hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride in a hydrogen-oxygen flame.

CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Molecular Formula: O2Si
Molecular Weight: 60.08
EINECS Number: 231-545-4

Synonyms: Silicon Dioxide, Silica, Dioxosilane, Quartz, 7631-86-9, Silica gel, Cristobalite, Silicic anhydride, Tridymite, 14808-60-7, Sand, 112945-52-5, 61790-53-2, 112926-00-8, KIESELGUHR, Diatomaceous silica, Wessalon, Aerosil, Silicon(IV) oxide, Zorbax sil, 60676-86-0, Silica, amorphous, 14464-46-1, Dicalite, Ludox, Nyacol, Amorphous silica, QUARTZ (SIO2), Cristobalite (SiO2), Cab-O-sil, Sillikolloid, Extrusil, Santocel, Sipernat, Superfloss, Acticel, Carplex, Neosil, Neosyl, Porasil, Silikil, Siloxid, Zipax, Aerosil-degussa, Silicon oxide, Aerosil 380, Synthetic amorphous silica, Quartz sand, Rose quartz, Silica particles, 91053-39-3, Cab-o-sil M-5, Silica, fumed, Snowtex O, Silica, colloidal, Tokusil TPLM, Dri-Die, SILICA, VITREOUS, Manosil vn 3, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Ultrasil VH 3, Ultrasil VN 3, Aerosil bs-50, Carplex 30, Carplex 80, Snowtex 30, Zeofree 80, Aerosil,Silicon(IV) oxide, Zorbax sil, 60676-86-0, Silica, amorphous, 14464-46-1, Dicalite, Ludox, Nyacol, Amorphous silica, QUARTZ (SIO2), Cristobalite (SiO2), Cab-O-sil, Sillikolloid, Extrusil, Santocel, Sipernat, Superfloss, Acticel, Carplex, Neosil, Neosyl, Porasil, Silikil, Siloxid, Zipax, Aerosil-degussa, Silicon oxide, Aerosil 380, Synthetic amorphous silica, Quartz sand, Rose quartz, Silica particles, 91053-39-3, Cab-o-sil M-5, Silica, fumed, Snowtex O, Silica, colloidal, Tokusil TPLM, Dri-Die, SILICA, VITREOUS, Manosil vn 3, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Ultrasil VH 3, Ultrasil VN 3, Aerosil bs-50, Carplex 30, Carplex 80, Snowtex 30, Zeofree 80, Aerosil K 7, Cabosil N 5, Syton 2X, Amorphous silica gel, Positive sol 232, Siliziumdioxid, Aerogel 200, Aerosil 300, Chalcedony, Diatomite, Ludox hs 40, Silanox 101, Silica (SiO2), Vitasil 220, Agate, Positive sol 130M, Silica vitreous, Silicon Dioxide (amorphous), Aerosil A 300, Aerosil E 300, Aerosil M-300, colloidal silica, Fused silica, Quartz glass, Silica slurry, Silicon Dioxide, fumed, Silicone dioxide, 68855-54-9, Nalfloc N 1050, Quso 51, Silica, amorphous fused, Nalco 1050, Quso G 30, Hydrophobic silica 2482, Kieselsaeureanhydrid,fused, Suprasil W, Vitreosil IR, Borsil P, Dioxide, Silicon, Silane, dioxo-, Crystallized Silicon Dioxide, Optocil (quartz), CP-SilicaPLOT, Sand, Sea, Silicon oxide, di- (sand), Quarzsand [German], S-Col, Admafine SO 25H, Admafine SO 25R, Admafine SO 32H, Admafine SO-C 2, Admafine SO-C 3, Cristobalite asbestos, Keatite (SiO2), Sg-67, Tridymite (SiO2), Fumed silica, crystalline-free, Stishovite (SiO2), ED-C (silica), Fuselex ZA 30, As 1 (silica), CCRIS 2475, DQ12, Agate (SiO2), Celite 545, Fumed synthetic amorphous silica, Silica, crystalline - tridymite, FB 5 (silica), Fuselex RD 120, Corning 7940, Microcrystalline quartz, Synthetic amorphous silica, fumed, Denka F 90, Denka FB 30, Denka FB 44, Denka FB 74, Denka FS 30, Dri-Die 67, Silica gel spherical, 40-75 mum particle size, WGL 300, Cryptocrystalline quartz, FB 20 (silica), Elsil 100, F 44 (filler), D & D, SF 35, Elsil BF 100, F 125 (silica), F 160 (silica), Fuselex RD 40-60, Silica, amorphous, fused, Silica; Silica colloidal anhydrous; Silicium dioxide, EINECS 238-455-4, EINECS 238-878-4, EINECS 239-487-1, 43-63C, HK 400, TGL 16319, Silica, crystalline quartz, Silicon Dioxide (vitreous), Silica, amorphous, fumed, cryst.-free, Silica, crystalline, quartz, Silica, crystalline: quartz, tripolite, GP 7I, Precipitated amorphous silica, Chrysoprase, Ronasphere, Silica, crystalline tridymite, Speriglass, Carneol, Citrine, Kieselgel, NaturasilScars, Sandstone, Silica, crystalline - quartz, Silicea, Spherica, AF-SO 25R, Quartz [Silica, crystalline], Siilca, Zorbax, quartz-glass, silica sand, Silicom dioxide, Silica flour (powdered crystalline silica), Silica marina, Silica, crystalline: tridymite, silica-gel, Fused-silica, pyrogenic silica, Silica,fumed, GP 11I, RD 8, silica-, Fine grain sand, QuarZ, Super-cel, Fire Agate, Greensil K, Sea sand, silica gel white, W 006, Silicon di-oxide, Tridymite [Silica, crystalline], Zelec Sil.

Fumed Silica is used in cosmetics for its light-diffusing properties. 
Fumed Silica is used as a light abrasive, in products like toothpaste. 
Other uses include filler in silicone elastomer and viscosity adjustment in paints, coatings, printing inks, adhesives and unsaturated polyester resins.
Fumed Silica consists of extremely small, non-porous primary particles that fuse into branched, chain-like, three-dimensional aggregates, which give it a very large surface area and unique rheological properties.
Fumed Silica, also known as pyrogenic silica because it is produced in a flame, consists of microscopic droplets of amorphous silica fused into branched, chainlike, three-dimensional secondary particles which then agglomerate into tertiary particles. 
Fumed Silica is a nanomaterial with strong hygroscopicity(absorbing moisture). 

This fluffy white powder is based on high purity amorphous silica. 
Fumed Silica is can be wetted by water, and dispersed in water forming a suspension.
Fumed Silica, sometimes called pyrogenic silica, is a non-crystalline, colloidal silicon dioxide synthesized by a flame hydrolysis procedure. 

Fumed Silica comprises a microscopic liquid of amorphous silica-based nanomaterial fused into chainlike 3-dimensional particles, which then mechanically entangle to create agglomerates.
Because of the three-dimensional structure and small diameter of primary particles, fumed silica has an extremely high surface area.
Fumed Silica is a white, fluffy powder used in many applications across many industries.

Fumed silica, often known by trade names Cabosil and Aerosil, or as colloidal silica, is a thixotropic flow modifier. 
This fine white powder is used to thicken adhesive and fairing mixes and reduce their flow on vertical surfaces. 
Relatively small quantities added to a resin mix containing glass bubbles will give non-sag properties. 

Fumed Silica is also used with micro-fibres to produce high strength, non-sagging structural adhesive. 
The inclusion of fumed silica will increase the hardness of the resulting mix, making it more difficult to sand. 
For this reason silica is usually added in the minimum quantities to any mix for which sanding is anticipated.

Fumed Silica or pyrogenic silica is a multi-purpose silica-based additive commonly used to manipulate viscosity, rheology and enhance functionality of existing polymer matrices. 
Fumed Silica has a low particle size and low bulk density, meaning the surface area is very high. 
Fumed Silica is known for its film and cured adhesives strengthening, sag resistance and anti-settling properties.

Due to its very low bulk density and high purity, fumed silica is widely used as a thickening, anti-caking, and reinforcing agent in a variety of products such as adhesives, sealants, coatings, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Because of its ability to control the flow and improve the mechanical properties of materials, it is often added to liquids, resins, and powders to improve stability, viscosity, and durability.
Fumed Silica is created in high-temperature flame reactors where silicon tetrachloride is vaporized and reacted with hydrogen and oxygen, producing amorphous silicon dioxide as extremely fine particles. 

These particles are so small that they form aggregates with a large surface area, which gives the material its exceptional ability to alter the flow and texture of liquids and powders.
Fumed Silica three-dimensional structure results in viscosity-increasing, thixotropic behavior when used as a thickener or reinforcing filler.
Fumed Silica, also known as pyrogenic silica because it is produced in a flame, consists of microscopic droplets of amorphous silica fused into branched, chainlike, three-dimensional secondary particles which then agglomerate into tertiary particles.

The resulting powder has an extremely low bulk density and high surface area. 
Fumed silicas are very similar to precipitated silicones. 
The only real difference is that they are produced through flame hydrolysis synthesis.

Colloidal silicon dioxide is a submicroscopic fumed silica with a particle size of about 15 nm. 
Fumed Silica is a light, loose, bluish-white-colored, odorless, tasteless, amorphous powder.
Fumed Silica is a silicon oxide made up of linear triatomic molecules in which a silicon atom is covalently bonded to two oxygens.

Fumed Silica may be synthesized by high temperature hydrolysis of SiCl4 in O2(N2)/H2 flame. 
Fumed Silica is amorphous in nature and possesses very high specific area. 
The micro droplets of amorphous silica fuse into a branch and form a chain like agglomerate.

Fumed Silica has a very strong thickening effect. 
The particles are non-porous and have a surface area of 50–600 m2/g the density is 160–190 kg/m3.

Fumed Silica serves as a universal thickening agent and an anticaking agent (free-flow agent) in powders. 
Fumed Silica, it serves as a desiccant. 

Melting point: >1600 °C(lit.)
Boiling point: >100 °C(lit.)
Density: 2.2-2.6 g/mL at 25 °C
vapor pressure: 13.3hPa at 1732℃
refractive index: 1.46
Flash point: 2230°C
storage temp.: 2-8°C
solubility: Practically insoluble in water and in mineral acids except hydrofluoric acid. It dissolves in hot solutions of alkali hydroxides.
form: suspension
pka: 6.65-9.8[at 20 ℃]
Specific Gravity: 2.2
color: White to yellow
PH: 5-8 (100g/l, H2O, 20℃)(slurry)
Odor: at 100.00?%. odorless
Water Solubility: insoluble
Hydrolytic Sensitivity    6: forms irreversible hydrate
Sensitive: Hygroscopic
Merck: 14,8493
Exposure limits    NIOSH: IDLH 3000 mg/m3; TWA 6 mg/m3
Stability: Stable.

Fumed Silica should be stored in a well-closed container.
Fumed Silica is one of the lightest substances known. 
Fumed silicas are very light and fluffy and have bulk densities of 3 lbs/cu ft (38 kg/cu m). Silicon metal and alloys are produced in electric furnaces. 

The raw materials include quartz, coal, and wood chips. The smoke that results from furnace operation is collected and sold as fumed silica. 
Depending on the processing, fumed silica may be used as a hydrophilic or a hydroponic.
Fumed silica powder has a high surface area. 

It is extremely fluffy and semi-free flowing and usually difficult to handle. 
The use of a fine-dust filter respirator by material handlers is recommended. 
Fumed silica is best kept as dry as possible. 

Once it is wet, fumed silica becomes very slimy and is extremely hard to handle as a heavy precipitate. Precautionary measures to prevent static discharges are also integral to the safe movement of fumed silica.
Fumed silica is valued because of its extremely small particle size, typically in the range of 7 to 40 nanometers, and its high specific surface area, which can be as large as 200 m²/g or more. 
These properties make it highly effective at modifying the flow, texture, and mechanical characteristics of many materials.

When dispersed in liquids, fumed silica forms a three-dimensional network that significantly increases viscosity without greatly increasing weight, which is especially useful in products like paints, coatings, and cosmetics where smooth application and stability are important. 
Because it is amorphous rather than crystalline, it is generally considered less hazardous to human health than crystalline silica, although inhalation of fine dust should still be avoided.

The material can be surface-treated with various chemicals to produce hydrophobic grades, which repel water and are used in systems such as silicone sealants, greases, and hydrophobic coatings. 
Conversely, untreated fumed silica is hydrophilic and more suited for use in aqueous systems.
Fumed Silica, amorphous is a noncombustible solid. Generally unreactive chemically. 

Incompatible with fluorine, oxygen difluoride, chlorine trifluoride. 
Soluble in molten alkalis and reacts with most metallic oxides at high temperature.
Fumed Silica is chemically inert, hydrophilic in its natural state, and can be chemically treated to become hydrophobic, making it versatile for use in both water-based and non-polar systems. 

Because of its unique particle structure, fumed silica does not dissolve in liquids but instead creates a network that increases viscosity, prevents settling of pigments or fillers, and stabilizes emulsions.
Industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, construction, and electronics make extensive use of fumed silica to improve product performance. 
For example, it is added to powders to prevent clumping, to adhesives and sealants to enhance strength, and to resins to prevent sagging during curing. 

Additionally, it is often used as a carrier for fragrances or active ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products due to its high surface area and chemical stability.
Fumed Silicas reinforcing properties also make it an important additive in elastomers and rubbers, where it improves tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and durability. 
In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a glidant to improve powder flow in tablet manufacturing, and in the food industry, it serves as an anti-caking agent in powdered products.

Fumed Silica is used as a mineral, natural or synthetic fiber. 
A potential danger to those involved in the production and handling of fumed silica for paint pigments or catalysts. 
Diatomaceous earth is used in clarifying liquids, in manufacture of fire brick and heat insulators; used as a filtering agent; as a filler in construction materials; pesticides, paints, and varnishes. 

A potential danger to those involved in mining of diatomaceous earth or fabrication of products there from.
Fumed Silica is hygroscopic but adsorbs large quantities of water without liquefying. When used in aqueous systems at a pH 0–7.5, colloidal silicon dioxide is effective in increasing the viscosity of a system. 
However, at a pH greater than 7.5 the viscosity increasing properties of colloidal silicon dioxide are reduced; and at a pH greater than 10.7 this ability is lost entirely since the silicon dioxide dissolves to form silicates.

Uses:
Fumed silica is used as an anti-sagging, anti-settling, and thickening agent to reinforce composites or films. 
Fumed Silica also acts as a thickener in milkshakes and a universal thickening and anti-caking agent in powdered food. 
Because of its light-diffusing characteristics, fused silica is widely used in cosmetic applications. 

This powder also serves as a light abrasive in various products such as toothpaste.
Additional applications of fumed silica include unsaturated polyester resins, toiletries, food & beverages, sealants, printing inks, coatings, and adhesives. 
It can also serve as filler in silicone elastomers as well as viscosity adjustments in paints.

Depending on the application and industry, fumed silica products of different particle structures and varying BET surface areas and densities are available. 
The best part is that these products can be customized to suit specific applications.
Fumed silica is widely used as a thickening and rheology-controlling agent in liquids such as paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants, where it helps to increase viscosity, prevent sagging, and improve the stability of the formulation during storage and application.

In the rubber and elastomer industry, it is frequently added as a reinforcing filler to enhance mechanical properties such as tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and durability, which makes it particularly useful in the production of silicone rubbers and other high-performance materials.
In pharmaceuticals, fumed silica serves as a glidant in tablet manufacturing because it improves the flowability of powders, prevents clumping, and ensures consistent dosing during tablet compression.

The food industry also makes use of fumed silica as an anti-caking agent in powdered products like spices, coffee creamers, and dry drink mixes, preventing them from sticking together in humid conditions.
Additionally, it is incorporated into cosmetics and personal care products as a thickener and texture enhancer, giving creams and lotions a smooth, silky feel while stabilizing emulsions and suspensions.

Because of its very high surface area, fumed silica can also act as a carrier for active ingredients, fragrances, or catalysts, enabling better dispersion and controlled release in various formulations.
Fumed Silica is also utilized in specialty applications such as 3D printing resins, composites for aerospace and automotive industries, and as an insulating material in vacuum insulation panels due to its low thermal conductivity.

Fumed Silica has interesting thickening and thixotropic properties, and an enormous external surface area. 
Fumed Silica is produced by a vapor phase hydrolysis process using chlorosilanes or substituted silanes such as, silicon tetrachloride in a flame of hydrogen and oxygen. 
This material is formed and collected in a dry state. 

Fumed Silica contains no detectable crystalline silica.
Fumed Silica is widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. 
Its small particle size and large specific surface area give it desirable flow characteristics that are exploited to improve the flow properties of dry powders in a number of processes such as tableting and capsule filling.

Fumed Silica is also used to stabilize emulsions and as a thixotropic thickening and suspending agent in gels and semisolid preparations. 
With other ingredients of similar refractive index, transparent gels may be formed. 
The degree of viscosity increase depends on the polarity of the liquid (polar liquids generally require a greater concentration of colloidal silicon dioxide than nonpolar liquids). 

Viscosity is largely independent of temperature. 
However, changes to the pH of a system may affect the viscosity1.
In aerosols, other than those for inhalation, Fumed Silica is used to promote particulate suspension, eliminate hard settling, and minimize the clogging of spray nozzles. 

Fumed Silica is also used as a tablet disintegrant and as an adsorbent dispersing agent for liquids in powders.
Fumed Silica is frequently added to suppository formulations containing lipophilic excipients to increase viscosity, prevent sedimentation during molding, and decrease the release rate. 
Fumed Silica is also used as an adsorbent during the preparation of wax microspheres; as a thickening agent for topical preparations; and has been used to aid the freeze-drying of nanocapsules and nanosphere suspensions.

Fumed Silica is widely used in various applications as a filler and flow control additive, thanks to its thickening, anti-sagging, thixotropy control, anti-settling, transparency, and low-density properties. 
Typical application areas of fumed silica are HTV and RTV silicone resins, cable gels used in fiber optic cables, adhesives, composite materials and coatings, home care products, plant protection, and more. 
Its refractive index makes it the most favored choice for transparent applications.

Fumed silica is also used in gelcoat and laminating applications to provide reliable rheological control and ensure optimum shear thinning. 
This powder has two main functions, the first function is a reinforcement to facilitate the strength of various raw materials, enabling them to be used in a range of applications based on the end user’s specific requirements. 
Secondly, the rheology control function lets users tailor the viscosity of a material to suit their exact specifications.

Safety Profile:
Fumed silica is considered to have low toxicity, but its fine particle size means that inhalation of airborne dust can pose potential health risks, especially if exposure occurs over long periods in poorly ventilated areas. 
When inhaled in significant amounts, the dust can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the respiratory tract.

Because fumed silica is amorphous and not crystalline, it does not have the same severe long-term health risks as crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis, but prolonged or repeated inhalation of any fine particulate matter should still be avoided to prevent respiratory irritation or lung stress.
Skin and eye contact with fumed silica dust can also cause dryness, irritation, or redness due to its strong ability to absorb moisture and oils from the skin and eyes. 
Therefore, wearing protective gloves and safety glasses is recommended when handling the dry powder.

Poison by intraperitoneal, intravenous, and intratracheal routes moderately toxic by ingestion. 
An inhalation hazard much less toxic than crystalhe forms. 
Questionable carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic data mutation data reported. 

Fumed Silica is widely used in oral and topical pharmaceutical products and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant excipient. 
However, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection may produce local tissue reactions and/or granulomas. 
Fumed Silica should therefore not be administered parenterally.