Sodium Silicate Liquid

Na₂O · nSiO₂ · xH₂O — "water glass"

Arvind Chemicals manufactures sodium silicate liquid in-house. Silica sand and soda ash are fused in our furnace at roughly 1400°C, and the resulting glass is dissolved under heat and pressure into liquor at the ratio you order.

We supply it across the full commercial range, from high-ratio neutral grades used in adhesives and silica gel through to alkaline grades used in detergents and foundry work. Ratio, density and solids are checked on every batch before dispatch, and a certificate of analysis ships with the consignment.

Technical specifications

Neutral grade

Ratio 1:3.2–3.3

Wt. ratio Na₂O:SiO₂1:3.2 to 3.3
Density37–40 °Bé
Na₂O8.0–8.6%
SiO₂26.5–28.0%
Total solids35.0–36.5%
AppearanceClear to pale straw

Alkaline grade — detergent grade

Ratio 1:2.0–2.4

Wt. ratio Na₂O:SiO₂1:2.0 to 2.4
Density48–52 °Bé
Na₂O13.0–14.5%
SiO₂28.0–31.0%
Total solids44.0–48.0%
AppearanceClear to pale straw

Figures are typical and non-binding. Intermediate ratios and concentrations are produced to order — send us your formulation target.

Packing options

Bulk tanker20–25 MT
HDPE drums250 kg / 300 kg
Carboys35 kg / 50 kg
IBC tote1000 L

Export consignments are packed to suit the destination and shipping mode. Tell us the port and we will quote packing with it.

Applications

01 Detergents — builder and alkalinity source 02 Foundry — CO₂-hardened sand core binder 03 Adhesives — corrugation, paper tubes, abrasives 04 Water treatment — coagulant aid, corrosion control 05 Silica gel & catalysts — precipitated silica feedstock 06 Construction — soil grouting, sealers, accelerator 07 Textiles & paper — peroxide bleach stabiliser 08 Ceramics & refractories — deflocculant and binder

Choosing a grade

Higher ratio (3.2–3.3) gives more silica per unit of alkali. It sets harder and faster and is what you want for adhesives, coatings and silica gel production. It is less alkaline, so it contributes less to cleaning power.

Lower ratio (2.0–2.4) carries more soda. It stays soluble longer, buffers better and delivers the alkalinity a detergent or degreasing formulation needs. It is also the usual choice for foundry core binders.

If you are unsure, tell us the process rather than the number. We will match a grade to it and send a sample.

Handling & storage

Keep containers closed

Silicate liquor absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. Over time that drops the pH and starts gelling the surface. Keep drums and tanks sealed, and do not leave a part-used container open on the floor overnight.

Do not let it freeze

Below about 0°C the liquor thickens and can set. It will usually recover on slow warming and gentle agitation, but repeated freeze-thaw permanently increases viscosity. In northern winters, store inside.

Alkaline, not corrosive like caustic

Silicate is a mild alkali. It will not burn skin the way caustic soda does, but it dries and irritates, and it is genuinely difficult to remove from eyes because it gels. Goggles and gloves, and an eyewash station where it is decanted.

Shelf life

Twelve months in a sealed container at ambient temperature is a reasonable planning figure. Higher-ratio grades are more prone to gelling on long storage than alkaline grades.

Quality control

What we test

Every batch is checked for SiO₂:Na₂O ratio by titration, density on the Baumé scale by hydrometer, and total solids by oven. Those three numbers are what determine how the liquor behaves in your process.

What you should check on arrival

Density with a hydrometer takes a minute and catches the majority of problems, including dilution in transit. If the Baumé matches the CoA, the consignment is almost certainly what you ordered.

Common questions

What is water glass?

Water glass is the common trade name for sodium silicate in solution. It is the same material, and the terms are used interchangeably in enquiries.

What is the shelf life of liquid sodium silicate?

Around twelve months in a sealed container at ambient temperature. Keep containers closed, because absorbed carbon dioxide lowers pH and starts gelling the surface.

What happens if sodium silicate freezes?

It thickens and can set solid. Slow warming with gentle agitation usually recovers it, but repeated freezing permanently raises viscosity, so store above freezing.

How do I check a delivery is the right grade?

Take a density reading with a hydrometer and compare it against the Baume figure on the certificate of analysis. That single check catches most errors including dilution in transit.