What is made from quartz sand. Quartz sand: applications and production. Composition and chemical-physical properties of quartz sand

Quartz sand is a unique material that has a wide range of applications. Depending on the fractions, it is used for decorative purposes (from wall decoration to decorating aquariums), for sprinkling sports grounds and paths in summer cottages, when arranging work premises, etc.

Often quartz sand is used to remove metal corrosion, in the production of paints, enamels and varnishes, the manufacture of molds for the foundry industry, for the brake system of railway trains, etc.

It is not so easy to buy quartz sand at enterprises that mine it. However, there is a way out of this - to make the material yourself based on pure river sand. It is sifted through a fine sieve to sift out clay, or a large sieve to remove debris. After they are cleaned of iron oxide, washing with water and a solution of hydrochloric acid. The same composition will remove the remains of clay. At the end quartz sand washed with clean water(ideally, by a Gresley and Rug machine) and dried by placing it on an oven, in the sun, etc.

Quartz sand obtained in this way is not of high quality. It can be used, for example, for filling voids in shielded rooms. However, in other cases, it is better to purchase quality material from specialized companies.

This sand is called so not in vain, quartz particles are of various sizes, and fractions of a certain size are used appropriately. Form also plays a significant role. For the most part, fractionated quartz sand is divided into two groups - building and molding, but they are used much more widely. Window glass, bottles and medical and chemical containers are made from it, the density of quartz sand makes it suitable for obtaining high-quality filters.

Quartz sand obtained from the sea has a run-in rounded shape, as well as river sand, and angular fractions are obtained from quarry and ravine workings.

For those who need to transport this material over a long distance, the specific gravity of quartz sand is of great interest. It corresponds to 2.7 g / cm 3, with sufficient friability, a cubic meter of sand will weigh 1500 kilograms. However, for the most part, quartz sand is sold in bags, packaged in 25 and 50 kilograms. Importantly, the material is filled into bags fractionated, that is, individual particles have sizes within a certain allowable value.

Quartz sand: application in construction and not only

Fine quartz sand has a considerable density, but how you can use it directly depends not only on the size, but also on the shape of the individual fractions. For example, if you want to use quartz sand for sandblasting, using material extracted from the sea or river for this purpose is completely ineffective due to its roundness. But for finishing from such sand with medium and large fraction sizes (from 0.63 to 2 millimeters), you can get excellent mixtures, for example, decorative plaster.

The highest quality is considered to be white quartz sand, which does not have any impurities. Such material does not require enrichment and additional chemical treatment. White sand is used not only in construction, when, for example, you need to get high-strength self-leveling floors, but also in landscape design. Its direct opposite is foundry quartz sand, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. Mostly fine-grained, the molding material is used for backfilling trenches in construction, as well as for making molds.

Where is dry quartz sand needed?

To be used in various fields, both construction and manufacturing, quartz sand must be thoroughly dried. It is during the drying process that the material is cleaned of various impurities, including clay, as well as dust. But, among other things, the above process is necessary for another purpose. Dry quartz sand is easier to fractionate, after which it is packaged in bags or big bags, designed for one ton of content.

Dry sand is indispensable for sprinkling paths, both garden paths, without which no landscape of a suburban area can do, and sports paths, along with park ones in the city. Also, quartz sand, especially colored sand, is necessary for road marking, in particular for pedestrian crossings and safety islands. They are sprinkled with soft tiles both from the outside, to increase durability, and from the back, which is necessary for successful transportation so that the sheets do not stick together.

Sand is a material that is used in any construction. At the moment, there are several types of it. These are quartz, river and ravine. Each of these types has certain characteristics. Today we will talk about quartz sand, which is widely used not only in construction, but also in industry.

Main properties of quartz sand

Quartz sand is crushed quartz, which is obtained either naturally or after special processing. The material is very loose and homogeneous. Depending on which breed it is obtained from, it can be divided into fractions. Their size can vary from 0.05 mm to 3 mm. Often impurities are found in the material, usually silica.

There are several types of quartz sand depending on its appearance:

With any extraction method, silica is processed and purified, so that it is sorted according to its type and cleaned of unnecessary debris and impurities.

Quartz sand is highly absorbent and also adheres well to various mixtures and materials. In addition, the material is extremely resistant to temperature and mechanical stress.

Application of quartz sand

The material is used in many industries. This includes construction, industry, pharmaceuticals and even the food industry. In addition, its use can be found even in those areas where, it would seem, it is not at all appropriate.

Construction

In the field of construction, the use of quartz sand is often found in various building materials, such as blocks. Such blocks have a calm color and are particularly durable. Attractive appearance allows using this material for decorating building facades and landscape design. Silicon dioxide is also added to give special strength to bricks for furnaces.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the most durable asphalt and concrete are made using quartz sand. So, all modern brands of cement are produced only with the addition of this material, to increase adhesion to the surface. Also on the market are primer options with the addition of quartz sand.

Important! Sometimes there is so much sand in the finished cement that additional addition of it is not required to create a concrete mix.

Since the load on the road surface in places where constantly increased traffic is high, it is better to lay asphalt, which contains crushed quartz, which gives strength.

This kind of material is added to decorative plaster for surface finishing. Due to the variety of quartz, the finished coating may differ in color and texture. Such a coating can last for a long time, and if decorative plaster with a fine fraction is chosen, give a perfectly even coating.

When the melting temperature is reached, silicon dioxide can even be made into extremely strong glass. In addition, rock crystal and vein quartz are also added to the mass.

Industry and water treatment

To give strength to the manufactured elements of faience or porcelain, quartz sand is also added to the material. In this way, these fragile products can last for quite a long time.

In the pharmaceutical industry, quartz material is used to make a variety of lenses. Due to the fact that the material has high abrasive properties, the finished glass after sandblasting is perfectly smooth. Such processing does not affect the transparency of the lenses in any way, since white sand is used for it. Sand is used for sandblasting, designed to process other materials.

In the food industry, quartz sand is used to purify water. Due to its unique properties, it completely removes all harmful impurities and particles from the liquid. For most expensive filters, only this material is used.

But such a cleaning material must be changed periodically so that it does not lose its ability to clean. Otherwise, it will become dirty and unusable for the function it performs. In addition, the water will not be enriched with those minerals that are contained in it.

Quartz sand for private use

It is very common to use quartz sand to clean swimming pools. This requires finely dispersed quartz, which remarkably purifies water from colloids, as well as mechanical impurities.

The cleaning process is very simple. It is a run of water through a filter for a pool with silicon dioxide inside and the exit of an already purified liquid. To increase the service life, you must strictly follow the instructions for use and periodically change the material inside.

Advice! In order for the sand not to clog so much, you can clean the pool filter once a week by running the water in the opposite direction.

The frequency of replacement of the filter material depends on the reservoir in which it is placed. In a constantly used pool, replacement should be carried out 1 time in 2 years, for a seasonal-type pool, 1 time in 5 years is enough, and for a small summer cottage, replacement should be done 1 time every 2 months.

Actively used quartz sand for the aquarium. And this is no coincidence, because it does not have any harmful effect on living organisms and water, and gives a special decorative effect.

If the sand is painted in any color, then this design will favorably distinguish this particular aquarium. But colored quartz sand will distract from the fish and focus the observer's attention only on the bottom. White quartz-type sand is not very suitable for an aquarium, as the fish do not stand out against its background, but are somewhat lost.

But the black version will perfectly emphasize the external beauty of the fish and harmoniously fit into the surrounding world. The best option would be a mixture of white and black sand, which most concisely emphasizes the beauty of the aquarium.

But before using such material for an aquarium, it is carefully processed. It must be washed with running water, boiled or doused with boiling water. The layer of sand on the bottom can be between 3 and 8 cm with a slope towards the front wall. A vacuum-based siphon is used to remove contaminants from the sand.

You can buy quartz sand for private use for the pool in packages of 25 and 50 kg. There are also small packs of silicon dioxide in pet stores. On an industrial scale, such material, of course, is used in larger volumes.

Conclusion

The material of the universal type silicon dioxide is suitable for use in various areas of life, up to food. Such popularity is earned due to high quality characteristics that give strength to any material where this sand is added. A high degree of water purification and saturation with minerals allow the material to take an honorable position for private use. But quartz sand is famous not only for its useful properties. It also has high decorative performance, which can decorate both the wall surface and the bottom of the aquarium.

Quartz sand

quartz sand product

Quartz sand- material obtained by crushing and screening of milky white quartz. In comparison with sands of natural origin, this material compares favorably with monomineralism, homogeneity, high intergranular porosity, and, consequently, with dirt holding capacity. Its sorption capacity allows removing oxidized iron and manganese from water. Possesses high resistance to mechanical, chemical, atmospheric influences. It is used in the production of decorative and finishing materials, in facade and interior plasters, landscape design. Among other things, in the manufacture of concrete blocks allows you to get soft, pastel shades. It is also used in public catering for use in food warmers when preparing coffee on the sand.

Classification

Quartz sand is divided into:

river (is the cleanest and most expensive);
marine (particles are mixed with clay and silt elements. Demand for it is less than for river);
soil (cellar, located under a layer of clay, soil. It is characterized by an acute-angled shape and roughness. It is used in construction work);
ravine (has impurities of silt. These are rough fractions of an acute-angled shape. They are part of the solutions of plaster, concrete);
mountainous (the origin is located in a mountainous area. According to its characteristics, it is close to a ravine).

Quartz sand is divided into natural and artificial. In the first case, rounded, natural sand appears as a result of the action of water and air. Quartz grains become smooth and round.

In the second case, a quartz vein is crushed, obtaining crushed sand. The rock is blown up, obtaining acute-angled elements, which are divided into fractions. Artificial sand is monomineral.

Its advantages include the following:

Silicon oxide IV is 98%.
Contains no organic impurities.
Resistant to mechanical and chemical influences.
High temperatures withstand easily.

Application

This inorganic mineral has a number of properties that make it a unique material. Quartz sand:

does not react with other chemicals;
has a high bulk density;
durable (grains are almost not subject to abrasion);
radiation safe;
is a good sorbent;
may be stained.

Due to its characteristics, the mineral has become a necessary material in many areas. How is quartz sand used? It is used in:

light and heavy industry (fractionated sand is filled with high quality building mixtures. It is one of the components of the self-leveling floor, decorative plasters);
metallurgy (founding sand is involved in the creation of molds for casting. The resulting products have refractory properties and are highly durable);
glass production (participates in the manufacture of glass containers, fiberglass, and other materials. Magnetic cleaning eliminates iron impurities from the material);
construction (participates in the creation of silicate bricks, concrete with refractory properties);
housing and communal services;
transport services;
water treatment (included in the filters, due to the absorbent characteristics);
animal husbandry (added to feed);
production of composite electrical fuses (used due to dielectric properties).

Mineral deposits

Where to find quartz sand? This inorganic mineral is often found at the bottom, on the banks of natural reservoirs, in quarries. Its deposits are known in Russia, India, Switzerland, Burma and other countries. It is formed as a result of the decay of granite. In Russia, it is mined in the Bryansk, Moscow, Volgograd, Kaluga regions. Also, near Orenburg, in the Urals. There are deposits in the channels of the Samara and Ural rivers.

Mining Features

Quartz can be divided into primary and secondary. The first variety is formed directly during the decay of granite, located under a layer of clay, mixtures. This is a decomposed granite, which lies in one place for a long time, without being exposed to water, sun, air.

Secondary quartz is a mineral that is affected by water. Streams of water erode and carry it to other places. As a rule, accumulations form at the bottom of rivers.

Mining of primary quartz

It is extracted from the places of occurrence, transported for processing. Then the clay is dissolved, the quartz is dehydrated, calcined. The material is divided into fractions, packaged.

Extraction of secondary quartz

Raw materials are collected from reservoirs by a pump. Then the mixture is transferred to the places of accumulation. They form a quarry on the ground, collect deposits with the help of an excavator and other equipment.

crushed quartz

Received as a result of an explosion. Then processed into ground quartz sand. Used for sandblasting. Its sieving is optimal, and its composition is granulometric. This allows you to make sandblasting surfaces efficient. Crushed quartz can be used to clean metal, wood, plastic, glass, concrete and brick surfaces.

How to pick up sand

For each type of work, you need to select the sand of the appropriate thickness. Quartz sand can be fine, coarse-grained, medium in size. The larger the fraction, the more rough the processing will be.