Product: Potassium Silicate (K₂O·nSiO₂)
CAS No.: 1312-76-1 (Anhydrous) / 1312-76-1 (Solution)
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
UN No.: 3253 (Solid) / 1819 (Solution)
Appearance:
Solid: Glassy lumps or powder
Solution: Colorless viscous liquid
Description: Potassium silicate is produced by fusing silica sand with potassium carbonate at 1200-1400°C (solid) or dissolving the glass in pressurized steam (solution), serving as an alkaline binder with superior solubility and thermal stability compared to sodium silicate. The SiO₂:K₂O ratio (1.6-2.8) determines reactivity - lower ratios dissolve faster while higher ratios provide better chemical resistance. Major applications include:
Welding Rods: Binder for flux coatings
Ceramics: Deflocculant in slip casting
Agriculture: Foliar silicon fertilizer
Coatings: Inorganic zinc-rich primers
