Silicates as Stabilizers

BTC Europe offers silicate solutions of alkali metals which act as stabilizers for the use in versatile applications. Silicates are also known as water glass or liquid glass. Silicate solutions of alkali metals are known mainly as sodium silicate or potassium silicate. Mainly alkali silicates provide alkalinity beside other properties like adhesion (binding) or stabilisation. The silicate composition and the used alkali metal (sodium, potassium or others) determine the final property of the silicate.

Soluble silicates are reactive raw materials. In almost all applications and uses, liquid silicates are finally converted into a solid silicate which is reversible unless an acidification occurs which leads to a gelling or hardening of irreversible character.

Because silicate solutions contain differently protonated silica-anions (H2SO42-, H3SO4-) a buffer system is provided in an alkaline environment. Such a buffering is a stabilizing effect. It is used in bleaching processes which contain chlorine, or an oxygen-based oxidizing additive. Such processes are used in textile, pulp and paper, detergents and cleaners and hair-bleaching formulations.

Silicate based paints or plaster for mineral surfaces are combined with different other ingredients like polymer dispersion, pigments, wetting agents besides others. The inorganic silicate solution must be stabilized in such a formulation to avoid viscosity increasement or coagulation. The addition of an APEO-free, cationic additive like Cycloquart®, improves the electrolyte tolerance and coagulation is hindered. In addition the in-can viscosity of a finished formulation will remain at a workable level.