Silica

Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Silica shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Silica offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Silica at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Silica? Wrong! If the Silica is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Silica then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Silica? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Silica and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Silica wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Silica then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Silica site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Silica, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Silica, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

Silica redirects here. For other uses, see Silica (disambiguation)

The chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica or silox (from the Latin "silex"), is the oxide of silicon, chemical formula , and has been known for its hardness since the 16th century. It is a principal component of most types of glass and substances such as concrete.

Siliceous is an adjective meaning "related to silica".

Manufactured forms Silica is manufactured in several forms including:

glass (a colorless, high-purity form is called fused silica)
synthetic amorphous silica
silica gel (used e.g. as desiccants in new clothes and leather goods)

It is used in the production of various products.

Inexpensive soda-lime glass is the most common and typically found in drinking glasses, bottles, and windows.
A raw material for many whiteware ceramics such as earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.
A raw material for the production of Portland cement.
A food additive, primarily as a flow agent in powdered foods, or to absorb water (see the ingredients list for).
The natural ("native") oxide coating that grows on silicon is hugely beneficial in microelectronics. It is a superior electric insulator, possessing high chemical stability. In electrical applications, it can protect the silicon, store charge, block current, and even act as a controlled pathway to allow small currents to flow through a device. At room temperature, however, it grows extremely slowly, and so to manufacture such oxide layers on silicon, the traditional method has been the deliberate heating of silicon in high temperature furnaces within an oxygen ambient (thermal oxidation).
Raw material for aerogel in the Stardust (spacecraft)
Used in the extraction of DNA and RNA due to its ability to bind to the nucleic acids under the presence of chaotropic agent.
Added to medicinal anti-foaming agent, like Simethicone, with a small portion to enhance defoaming activity.

Health effects Inhaling finely divided crystalline silica dust in significant quantities can lead to silicosis or (much more rarely) cancer, as the dust becomes lodged in the lungs and continuously irritates them (silica does not dissolve over time). This effect can be an occupational hazard for people working with sandblasting equipment, products that contain powdered silica, and so on.

In all other respects, silicon dioxide is inert and harmless. When silica is ingested orally, it passes unchanged through the gastrointestinal tract, exiting in the feces, leaving no trace behind. Small pieces of silicon dioxide are equally harmless, as long as they are not large enough to mechanically obstruct the GI tract, or jagged enough to lacerate its lining. Silicon dioxide produces no fumes and is insoluble in vivo. It is indigestible, with zero nutritional value and zero toxicity.

Chemistry Silicon dioxide is formed when silicon is exposed to oxygen (or air). A very thin layer (approximately 1 nanometre or 10 Ångström) of so-called 'native oxide' is formed on the surface when silicon is exposed to air under ambient conditions. Higher temperatures and alternate environments are used to grow well-controlled layers of silicon dioxide on silicon.

Silicon dioxide has Covalent bond and forms a Crystal structure (also known as lattice or continuous).

Silicon dioxide is attacked by hydrofluoric acid (HF). HF is used to remove or pattern silicon dioxide in the semiconductor industry.

References

R. K. Iler, The Chemistry of Silica (ISBN 0-471-02404-X)