Top 5 Industrial Applications of Fumed Silica

Fumed Silica, also known as Pyrogenic Silica, consists of microscopic droplets of amorphous silica fused into branched, chainlike, three-dimensional secondary particles. The powder has very low bulk density and large surface area. It is highly versatile and is used in a variety of applications including:

1. Defoamers & Antifoams

Defoamers & Antifoams usually contain a suspension of hydro-phobic or hydrophilic precipitated silica in mineral oil, soy-bean oil or in silicone oil. However, precipitated silica has a tendency to settle, which can lead to other issues. Adding fumed silica either completely prevents or significantly reduces this effect. In many defoamers, fumed silica is used as the active silica component instead of precipitated silica.

2. Adsorbent

Due to its high specific surface area, fumed silica is able to adsorb gaseous, liquid or solid materials. The substance will preferably adsorb those materials, which are capable of forming hydrogen bond linkages with the silanol groups on its surface or which can interact on an acid-alkali basis.

3. Suspension, Dispersion, Grinding

Fumed Silica prevents or delays the sedimentation of solids in liquid systems, such as pigmented coatings or resins. The substance doesn’t allow smaller particles to recombine as well. Adding of hydrophobic fumed silica during the dispersion stage can improve pigmentation performance in coatings.

4. Reinforcement of Elastomers

By using fumed silica as a reinforcing filler in elastomers, users can produce an improvement in their mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elongation at break and tear resistance. The substance also helps to control the influence of temperature on mechanical properties.

5. Printer and Copier Toner

Fumed silica can improve the flow characteristics and charge stability of toners. It also improves resolution and print quality of laser beam printers or plain paper copiers.

The substance also improves the flowability of the dry toner and to minimize the electrostatic charge variation of dry toner.

If you’re looking to buy high quality commercial grade fumed silica, AGILENOBEL is your place to go. In addition to Fumed Silica, the company also offers old box resins, Precipitated silica, Co2 absorbent, soda lime absorbent, Saffron and more.