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What is Silica Sand?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

Silica sand is one of the most common varieties of sand found in the world. It is used for a wide range of applications, and can be purchased from various suppliers throughout the world. Silica sand is used in industrial processing, to make glass, as fill, and to create molds and castings.

Sand is the general term for broken down granules of minerals or rocks, technically between about one-sixteenth of a millimeter to two millimeters in diameter, falling between silt and gravel in the spectrum of sizes. There are many varieties of sand in the world, each with their own unique composition and qualities. The white sandy beaches of iconic tropical destinations, for example, are made up primarily of limestone that has been broken down, while many black sands are either volcanic in origin or contain magnetite. Other sands have high levels of iron in them, and so are rich and yellow in color.

A pile of silica sand.
A pile of silica sand.

The most common mineral in the Earth’s continental crust is quartz, and most silica sand is made up of broken down quartz crystals. Silica is another name for silicon dioxide, SiO2, of which quartz is a specific latticed structure. So silica sand is quartz that over the years, through the work of water and wind, has been broken down into tiny granules. These granules can be used for many different purposes, and can be found in most non-tropical regions of the world.

A person sandblasting using silica sand.
A person sandblasting using silica sand.

Silica sand is used throughout the world, and in so many different ways it is hard to imagine a world without it. From water filtration, to glass manufacture, to industrial casting, to sand blasting, to producing concrete, to adding texture to slick roads, silica sand impacts every aspect of daily life. Many industrial suppliers carry silica sand in bulk quantities, while some smaller household stores sell it in smaller amounts for home or home construction use. One of the major uses of silica sand in the modern world is as an ingredient in industrial concrete. Silica sand produces the bulk of a great deal of concrete, although some concrete bypasses its use for safety and strength reasons. At industrial scales, silica sand can cost less than $0.50 US Dollars (USD) per pound, while the consumer rate is around $1.50 USD per pound.

Silica sand exposure has been linked to lung cancer.
Silica sand exposure has been linked to lung cancer.

Because of the fine grains involved in silica sand, it can present a health risk if not properly handled. In projects where products containing silica sand are being cut or pounded, such as demolition projects involving concrete, or sandblasting operations, care must be taken to keep the silica sand out of the lungs. Failure to wear a respirator or mask can result in lung irritation, and prolonged exposure can cause a chronic condition known as silicosis. Silicosis has no ready treatment, and can cause severe pain or death. Additionally, silicosis increases the likelihood of secondary infections, such as tuberculosis, and has been linked to an increased incidence of lung cancer. As a result, all materials containing more than 0.1% of silica sand must be clearly labeled, and workplace health codes apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is silica sand and how is it different from regular sand?

Most silica sand is made from broken down quartz crystals.
Most silica sand is made from broken down quartz crystals.

Silica sand, also known as quartz sand, is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is the same material found in quartz. Unlike regular sand, which can be derived from various types of rocks, silica sand is specifically made up of well-rounded, sand-sized grains of quartz, which is known for its hardness and chemical inertness. This makes it a preferred material in industries that require high purity and durability.

Where is silica sand commonly found?

Respirator masks can prevent people from inhaling silica particles that cause health issues.
Respirator masks can prevent people from inhaling silica particles that cause health issues.

Silica sand is predominantly found in areas with abundant quartz-rich rocks. It's often mined from quarries and can be found in large quantities in the Earth's crust. Geologically, it's typically extracted from sedimentary environments such as beaches, riverbeds, and dunes. These environments facilitate the weathering process that separates quartz grains from other minerals, leading to the formation of silica sand deposits.

What are the primary uses of silica sand?

Silica sand has a wide range of uses due to its unique properties of purity, hardness, and resistance to high temperatures. It's extensively used in the glassmaking industry to produce flat glass for windows and solar panels, as well as containers and fiberglass. Additionally, it's a key ingredient in the foundry industry for casting metals, in the production of silicon for semiconductors, and as a proppant in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction.

Is silica sand environmentally friendly?

The environmental impact of silica sand depends on the methods used for mining, processing, and transportation. While silica sand itself is a natural and inert material, irresponsible mining practices can lead to land degradation, water contamination, and air pollution. However, with proper regulation and sustainable practices, the negative environmental effects can be minimized, making it a more eco-friendly resource.

How is silica sand processed for various applications?

Silica sand undergoes a range of processes to meet the specifications required for different applications. After extraction, it is washed to remove impurities and then dried. It may be screened to obtain specific grain sizes and further processed to adjust its grain shape. For certain applications, such as glassmaking, the sand is melted and refined to produce clear, pure silica glass.

Can silica sand be recycled or reused?

Yes, silica sand can be recycled and reused in several applications, particularly in the foundry industry where sand molds are used for metal casting. After a casting process, the sand can be collected, cleaned, and refurbished for reuse in new molds. This not only conserves natural resources but also reduces the environmental footprint associated with the extraction and processing of new sand.

Discussion Comments

anon961949

Can anyone test silica sand for equestrian use only?

anon333224

Should silica sand be used in children's sand boxes? Is it safe?

anon323969

Would it be all right to use silica sand on fine turf, like a bowling green?

DylanB

I remember playing with colored silica sand in elementary school art class. We layered it inside bottles, and we also used it on sticky boards to make drawings.

I have always loved playing with sand. Colored sand was even better, because I could actually see what I made with it without having to make a sculpture like a sand castle.

cloudel

I live in the southern United States, and we rarely see snowstorms. When snow or ice is predicted, trucks pour washed silica sand onto the bridges and in rows along the major highways to give vehicles traction.

No one around here has snow tires, and few people have even bothered to purchase chains. We usually only get a couple of inches of snow a year, and it is rarely mixed with ice, so it isn't very slick and it melts off the road quickly.

However, last year, we got two major snowstorms. We had eight inches of snow each time, which was much more than people were prepared for.

The silica sand on the bridges and highways helped, but many people didn't know that they still needed to drive under 30 mph to avoid slipping, so there were a few wrecks during this time. I shudder to think of how bad the wrecks would have been if no silica sand had been used!

seag47

@healthy4life – Silica sand suppliers get there sand from mines in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. I live near a mine in Minnesota that is just full of this sand.

I've also heard that it can be found along some riverbeds. I've never seen it myself, but it makes sense that it would be found near rapidly moving water.

healthy4life

I've never had the need to buy silica sand, but I do wonder where it can be found naturally. I was fascinated to read that the soft white sand in the tropics is actually broken down limestone, and I also find it interesting that silica sand is broken down quartz. Does silica sand exist naturally in the United States, and if so, where?

anon275911

Any idea where to source for suppliers of silica sand in Malaysia?

anon272046

I hear that silica sand can be used to kill bed bugs. Is this true? If so, how and where would you put the sand?

anon251363

Can someone tell me what the flashpoint of silica sand is?

anon246937

In Libya we have the most pure silica and our desert in huge. In some places the purity is as high as 99.6 percent. So I am planning to open a factory for producing silica metal for manufacturing semiconductors and other things, especially for solar cells.

anon155110

Our town is considering a silica sand plant. People are very concerned about health findings with the sand. They are afraid that the sand will get into our air and cause problems.

There is a plastics factory near where they want to build the silica plant. They say they will move out because they make items for hospitals and the silica plant would pollute the air.

anon149061

I'm a student and I want to know where can you get silica sand.

anon147107

how much does silica cost if the silica content is 99.5 percent?

anon146662

SiO2+NaOH==> Na2SiO3 ( 230 oC in autoclave to make sodium silicate)

anon130774

I'm a student. I need some advice. How can I dissolve silica sand? I want to produce sodium silicate for synthesis of zeolite.

tmacsgirl

Silica, particularly in the form of quartz, is the most common mineral resistant to weathering. This resistance is due to the mineral's hardness and chemical dormancy. Sandy soils are great for growing watermelon, peaches, and peanuts.

Sand ranges in color and texture depending on which region it exists. The bright white sands of tropical coastal settings are often composed of limestone and shell fragments, while Southern European sands often contain iron impurities that cause its color to be a deep yellow.

cmsmith10

Silica sand is used to make glass. As a general rule, the purer the sand is, the clearer the glass. If there are impurities in the sand, discoloration happens.

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    • A pile of silica sand.
      By: Khorzhevska
      A pile of silica sand.
    • A person sandblasting using silica sand.
      A person sandblasting using silica sand.
    • Silica sand exposure has been linked to lung cancer.
      By: itsmejust
      Silica sand exposure has been linked to lung cancer.
    • Most silica sand is made from broken down quartz crystals.
      By: siimsepp
      Most silica sand is made from broken down quartz crystals.
    • Respirator masks can prevent people from inhaling silica particles that cause health issues.
      By: kostrez
      Respirator masks can prevent people from inhaling silica particles that cause health issues.