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Mineral Microsilica, also known as silica fume or condensed silica fume, is a byproduct of the production of silicon metal or ferrosilicon alloys in electric arc furnaces. It is composed of very fine particles of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2) and various other oxides such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and iron oxide (Fe2O3). Here’s its composition and uses:
Composition:
- Silicon Dioxide (SiO2): This is the main component of mineral microsilica, constituting a significant portion of its composition. It is typically present in the range of 85% to 98%.
- Other Oxides: Mineral microsilica may contain small amounts of other oxides such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe2O3), calcium oxide (CaO), and magnesium oxide (MgO). These oxides are impurities derived from the raw materials used in the production process.
Uses:
- High-Performance Concrete: Mineral microsilica is widely used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in the production of high-performance concrete. Its high reactivity and pozzolanic properties enable it to fill voids between cement particles, resulting in denser and more durable concrete with improved strength and durability.
- Reducing Permeability: Addition of mineral microsilica to concrete mixtures can significantly reduce the permeability of concrete, making it less susceptible to penetration by water, chloride ions, and other deleterious substances. This property is particularly beneficial in marine environments, bridges, and other structures exposed to harsh weather conditions.
- Enhancing Strength and Durability: Mineral microsilica improves the compressive strength, flexural strength, and abrasion resistance of concrete. It helps produce concrete with higher early-age and ultimate strengths, as well as enhanced resistance to chemical attack, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), and sulfate attack.
- Infrastructure Projects: Mineral microsilica is commonly used in infrastructure projects such as bridges, highways, tunnels, and dams where high-performance and durable concrete is required to ensure long-term structural integrity.
- Shotcrete and Repair Mortars: It is also used in shotcrete and repair mortars to improve their mechanical properties and adhesion to substrates, resulting in more durable and long-lasting repairs for deteriorated concrete structures.
In summary, Mineral Microsilica is a valuable additive in concrete production, offering numerous benefits including improved strength, durability, and resistance to various environmental and chemical attacks. Its widespread use contributes to the development of high-performance and long-lasting concrete structures in the construction industry.
