Sodium silicate is an extremely useful material that lends itself to varied uses; but it needs to be handled with care and caution. In fact, it comes with its own set of safety and handling information.
Sodium silicate is formed from the reaction of sodium carbonate and silicon dioxide in a molten state. This universal compound finds multiple uses across diverse platforms. In the world of art, it is commonly used to give an antique finish to ceramic creations. It is also used as a clay slip defflocculant apart from aiding in making sand molds for metal castings.
The same sodium silicate serves excellent bonding and coating applications as well. The high-temperature can form a tight bond between any two materials; it also works to help harden cardboard cartons or applying labels. Also known as water glass, it is used to seal plaster, gypsum and stucco surfaces thus making them impermeable and water resistant. The same property comes in handy for sealing cracks in concrete floors, sidewalks and driveways.
The industry usage of sodium silicate ranges from cements, passive fire protection and refractories to textile and lumber processing and automobiles.
The same sodium silicate serves excellent bonding and coating applications as well. The high-temperature can form a tight bond between any two materials; it also works to help harden cardboard cartons or applying labels. Also known as water glass, it is used to seal plaster, gypsum and stucco surfaces thus making them impermeable and water resistant. The same property comes in handy for sealing cracks in concrete floors, sidewalks and driveways.
The industry usage of sodium silicate ranges from cements, passive fire protection and refractories to textile and lumber processing and automobiles.
Care and caution
Like most other compounds, sodium silicate needs to be handled carefully. While it is essentially non-toxic, the solution can still irritate or even burn the skin and eyes on contact. Inhalation should also be kept to a minimum.
Therefore, users should make it a point to wear rubber or PVC gloves and overalls when using sodium silicate to make sand molded castings, clay slips or other usage. Wearing splash-proof goggles and rubber boots is also recommended, especially when using large quantities or where heavy contamination is likely.
These are the general precautions that should be carefully adhered. In addition, it is always advisable to vigilantly read the product label and get a handle on the safety measures that will be duly mentioned on the packaging. Following safe work practices will prevent untoward injuries or accidents when working with the compound.
Where to buy?
EnvironMolds offers a complete range of materials, supplies and equipment for making molds, casts and life casts. It is the favorite art store of all kinds of artists as they can find whatever they need and then some more.
ArtMolds Sodium Silicate is just one of the varied components on its broad menu of items that will be handy in the art studio. It is available in 1 pint, 1 gallon and 5 gallon packages. And it goes without saying that like all the other products, this water glass compound is also of top quality and offered at a reasonable price. The regular properties of sodium silicate also hold good – it is odorless, non-toxic moisture resistant, non-flammable and resistant to temperatures up to 3000° F.
The label on the bottle of aqueous solution obviously specifies the safety precautions to be observed while using the sodium silicate. In addition to this, the company website, https://www.artmolds.com also provides supplementary Material Safety Data Sheets for all its products as further guidance.
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