The Difference Between Fumed Silica And Precipitated Silica

Precipitated silica and gas phase silica are two different silica preparation methods, which are significantly different in many ways. The following details the differences:

Preparation process:

Precipitated silica is produced in the liquid phase by chemical reaction and then prepared by precipitation, filtration, and drying. Specifically, it is usually sodium silicate solution and acid (such as hydrochloric acid HCl or H2SO4) as raw materials; under certain reaction conditions, sodium silicate and acid reaction to produce silica precipitation, and then through filtration, washing, drying, and other steps to obtain precipitated silica. The advantage of this method is that the process is relatively simple and suitable for large-scale production. However, some disadvantages exist, such as low utilization of raw materials and the fact that the product takes work to control.

Fumed silica is prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In this method, silane, oxygen, and hydrogen gas react at high temperatures, resulting in silica in the form of dust deposited on the cooling wall after collection, treatment, and drying steps to obtain fumed silica. The preparation process of fumed silica has the advantages of a high utilization rate of raw materials and easy control of products. Still, at the same time, it also needs to use high-temperature equipment, which requires high equipment.

Product nature:

There are differences in particle morphology, particle size distribution, specific surface area, and pore structure of precipitated silica and gas phase silica. The particle shape of precipitated silica is usually irregular, the particle size is large, the specific surface area is small, and the packing density is high. This allows precipitated silica to have a good filling and covering power in applications, suitable for rubber, coatings, plastics, and paper industries.

The particle shape of fumed silica is spherical or polyhedral, the particle size is small, the specific surface area is large, and the packing density is low. Fumed silica has high porosity and standard pore size, which makes it have good dispersion and permeability in applications, suitable for colloidal batteries, solar cells, electronic packaging materials, rubber products, and other fields. In addition, fumed silica has excellent electrical properties and thermal stability.

Application field:

Due to the different properties of the products, the application fields of precipitated silica and gas-phase silica are also various. Precipitated silica is mainly used in rubber, coatings, plastics, and papermaking industries as a reinforcing agent and filler to improve product strength, wear resistance, and anti-aging properties. In addition, precipitated silica can also be used as a raw material for ceramics and glass.

Fumed silica is mainly used in colloidal batteries, solar cells, electronic packaging materials, rubber products, and other fields. It plays a vital role in improving the performance of products as a conductive agent, anti-ultraviolet agent, wear-resistant agent, etc. In addition, fumed silica can also be used in catalyst carriers, adsorbents, and drugs. Its excellent performance makes it widely used in many high-tech fields.

Market demand:

The market demand for precipitated silica and gas-phase silica is also different. As a traditional silica preparation method, precipitated silica has a relatively stable market demand. It is widely used in rubber, coatings, plastic paper, and other industries, so the market demand is relatively stable.

As a new silica preparation method, the market demand for fumed silica is relatively high. With the development of high-tech fields, fumed silica is increasingly widely used in colloidal batteries, solar cells, electronic packaging materials, rubber products, and other areas, so the market demand is also growing. At the same time, because of its excellent performance, fumed silica has a wide range of applications in catalyst support, adsorbents, and drugs.

Fumed silica is a high-tech ultrafine inorganic new material, and its advantages mainly include the following points:

Small particle size: The particle size of fumed silica is small, so the specific surface area is large, the surface adsorption force is strong, the surface energy is significant, the chemical purity is high, and the dispersion performance is good.

Good stability: fumed silica has excellent strength, unique characteristics in many subject areas, and has an irreplaceable role.

Thickening properties: fumed silica can be used as a thickening agent for epoxy resins.

Thixotropy: fumed silica has thixotropy, which can improve the constructability and rheology of coatings.

Extinction: fumed silica in the paint can produce strong extinction properties and improve the color's scratch resistance.

Suspension: Fumed silica has a suitable break in liquid coatings, which can prevent other components in the coating system from settling.

Wide range of applications: fumed silica in the petrochemical industry, bleaching agent, matting agent, rubber reinforcing agent, plastic filling agent, ink thickening agent, metal soft polishing agent, insulation filler, senior daily cosmetics filler and spraying materials, medicine, environmental protection.

High porosity and low pore size: fumed silica has the characteristics of high porosity and standard pore size, which is conducive to adsorption and desorption.

Packing & Shipping of Fumed silica :

We have many kinds of stuffing depending on the quantity of Fumed silica.

Fumed silica packing: vacuum packing, 100g, 500g, or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as you request.

Fumed silica shipping: This could be shipped out by sea, air, or express as soon as possible once payment is received.

Fumed silica supplier：

Synthetic Chemical Nano Technology Co. Ltd. is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years of experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality Fumed silica powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. 

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