Silica is used in ceramics and in making glass. Fumed silica is used as a filler in the cement and refractory materials industries, as well as in heat insulation and filling material for synthetic rubbers, polymers and grouts. Semiconductor-grade silicon is used in the manufacture of silicon chips and solar cells. Silicones are used as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, electrical insulators, and moisture-proof treatments. Silanes are the used to make silicone resins, lubricants, anti-foaming agents, and water-repellent compounds. In the chemicals industry, silicon metal is the starting point for the production of silianes, silicones, fumed silica, and semiconductor-grade silicon. Silicon-aluminum alloys tend to have relatively low strength and ductility, so other metals, especially magnesium and copper, are often added to improve strength. Silicon is used in the aluminum industry to improve castability and weldability. Stainless steels are used when superior corrosion resistance, hygiene, aesthetic, and wear-resistance qualities are needed.Ĭarbon steels are used extensively in suspension bridges and other structural support material, and in automotive bodies, to name a few. An alloy steel refers to all finished steels other than stainless and carbon steels. In addition to tool steels, an example of “alloy steels,” ferrosilicon is used in the manufacture of stainless steels, carbon steels, and other alloy steels. Tools, for instance, are made of steel and ferrosilicon. Usesįerrosilicon alloys are used to improve the strength and quality of iron and steel products. Except for temporarily disturbing the immediate area while mining operations are active, sand and gravel mining usually has limited environmental impact. In almost all cases, silica mining uses open pit or dredging mining methods with standard mining equipment. Silicon alloys include a variety of metals, including iron, aluminum, copper, nickel, manganese and ferrochromium. Feldspar and quartz are the most significant silicate minerals. Silicon is never found in its natural state, but rather in combination with oxygen as the silicate ion SiO 4 4- in silica-rich rocks such as obsidian, granite, diorite, and sandstone. Silicon (Si) is a semi-metallic or metalloid, because it has several of the metallic characteristics. The metamorphic rock, quartzite, is another source.
Since sand is plentiful, easy to mine and relatively easy to process, it is the primary ore source of silicon. Silicon compounds are the most significant component of the Earth’s crust. Also called silica sand or quartz sand, silica is made of silicon dioxide (SiO 2).