Silica Fume

Silica fume (microsilica) is produced in the arc fusion process when silica is separated from Zirconium Silicate.  The resulting fume is very fine amorphous material with purity above 87%, a BET surface area of 12-20 m2/g, and pH range of 5-8.  There are hundreds of industrial uses for fumed silica in sealant formulations, rheology control, and emulsification agents.

Silica fume commonly used as a concrete admixture to increase the strength of the building material.  Concrete fortified with silica fume has a lower water content and is less permeable to the deteriorating compounds in de-icing salts and other road treatments.