The Benefits of Sodium Silicate in Modern Construction Projects

There have been major developments in the construction industry is recent times. Lately, the global construction industry has witnessed several revolutionary progressive steps, both in material and technology.

This has helped to make stronger, durable and cost-efficient buildings worldwide. One such revolutionary material in the construction industry is sodium silicate.

It is a truly versatile substance with various applications in construction projects. Hence, this article is written to help you learn everything you need to know about this wonderful and versatile compound. Here, you will understand what sodium silicate is, how it works in construction, and the benefits of sodium silicate in modern construction projects.

What is Sodium Silicate?

Sodium silicate is a chemical compound which is also called ‘water glass’. It consists of Silica (SiO2) and Sodium Oxide (Na2O), and is a water-soluble chemical. When it is cooled to room temperature, the compound turns into a solid but translucent, glass-like substance. It is also available in other forms, such as granules, powder and liquid, according to specific requirements of the construction industry.

Water glass has been a staple part of conventional construction techniques in several industries, such as ceramic and textile manufacturing. However, since the past few decades it is being used widely in the construction industry for its various incredible benefits of sodium silicate. For instance, sodium silicate when used in construction projects offers thermal stability, chemical resistance and significant adhesive strength. This makes the compound extremely crucial to build strong and durable structures.

How Sodium Silicate Works in the Construction Process?

Sodium silicate has several unique physical and chemical properties that have made it almost indispensible in the modern construction industry. Below are listed some of the significant ways in which sodium silicate works in the construction process –

Bonding Solution

Water glass has strong adhesive properties and is widely used by mixing with various construction materials. It significantly improves adhesion between two different construction materials and also ensures optimal performance of the materials.

Concrete Sealant

Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), a firm and durable substance, is formed when the free calcium hydroxide in concrete reacts with sodium silicate. This chemical reaction helps to makes the concrete impermeable, and also makes it stronger and more resistant to damage from normal wear-and-tear.

Fireproofing Agent

Sodium silicate has significant thermal stability, which makes it an ideal fireproofing solution for concrete structures. It is easy to apply on walls and other surfaces and creates a uniform protective layer against extreme temperatures and direct heat.

Waterproofing Solution

Sodium silicate efficiently seeps into tiny pores and small gaps on concrete and masonry surfaces and effectively forms a strong durable water-repellent layer. Thanks to this quality, the chemical compound is widely used as part of essential waterproofing for basements, foundations, and other areas with high exposure to water seepage.

Soil Stabilizer

Sodium silicate also works excellently as a soil stabilizer, which is extremely helpful for construction projects where sandy or loose soil forms the base. The chemical compound is simply injected into the ground and it quickly stabilizes the soil. This ensures the foundation remains firm and prevents shifting.

Benefits of Sodium Silicate in Construction

Now that you know the various ways in which it works, let’s learn the diverse benefits of sodium silicate in the modern construction industry –

Longer Building Life

Sodium silicate, when used in construction, improves the long-term performance of every individual building material that is used in the project. It has diverse properties, such as sealing, strengthening and protecting building materials to ensure the buildings remain strong and durable for a longer time. This way, it also helps to minimize the need for frequent maintenance.

Stronger Foundation

As ‘water-glass’ injected in unstable sandy, loose soil solidifies the ground, it is highly valuable in many construction projects. It is a reliable solution that reduces the risk of collapse and shifting. This helps to ensure the building’s foundation remains strong for decades.

Chemical Resistance

Sodium silicate is also highly resistance to most harmful chemicals, and prolongs the building’s life by protecting against corrosive chemicals. This makes it effective for use in constructing buildings for factories, laboratories, and other areas where harsh chemicals may be frequently used.

Easy to Apply

Water-glass comes in various forms, such as granules, powder and liquid, according to different needs of any construction process. This enables you to easily apply the chemical compound using a roller, brush or spray. With this, it becomes an ideal solution for both large-scale and small building projects. Essentially, using sodium silicate in construction saves time and cost of labor too.

Versatile Application

Another major benefit of sodium silicate in construction is the various different ways it works. For instance, the substance is not only useful for soil stabilization and ensure strong foundation but is also used as an efficient concrete sealant too.

In addition, it is also commonly used as a bonding agent between construction materials and an effective fire and waterproofing solution. These varied properties make the chemical compound a truly multi-purpose building solution.

Fire Resistance

As mentioned earlier, sodium silicate forms a thin but uniform layer of fire resistance chemicals over the applied surface, such as walls, ceilings, etc. It has excellent heat-resistant properties which protect buildings against extensive damage during a fire. This way, water-glass helps to provide an additional layer of protection against fire damage and makes the building safer for its occupants.

Cost-efficiency

Sodium silicate, as compared to other bonding agents and sealants, is significantly less expensive. It effectively protects building materials and enhances their strength so the structures are more durable and incur minimal maintenance.

Conclusion

Sodium silicate is a cost-efficient and multi-purpose solution for modern construction projects. It offers excellent waterproofing and fire-resistance, enhances the structure’s foundation and makes the construction project overall more efficient and cost-effective in the long-run.

It is an inexpensive chemical compound which is being increasingly used for diverse purposes in various types of construction projects worldwide. If you are looking to building stronger and longer-lasting building as a homeowner or construction professional, we advise you to buy only the best-quality sodium silicate powder from Sakshi Chem Sciences, the leading construction chemical manufacturer in India.

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