Know Different Uses Of Silica Fumes For Concrete Buildings

Silica fume is formed as a by-product while burning coal, quartz, and wood for producing the metal form of silicon or alloys of ferrosilicon. Actually, the smoke evolving out of the electric furnace is commercially termed as silica fume, the chemical name of which is silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is generally added to concrete while constructing buildings and bridges, to render more strength to these structures.

Prime benefits rendered by silica fumes for concrete structures

When silica fumes are added to a paste of concrete and water, the overall weight of that mixture increases to a great extent, compared to ordinary concrete paste. Thus, a much lesser amount of concrete needs to be used for construction, leading to the economic profit of the builders.

As this amorphous chemical makes the concrete paste much heavier, better stability is the main reason to use silica fumes for concrete constructions. Hence, these concrete structures exhibit greater longevity and last for many more years in good conditions. Moreover, SiO2 reacts instantly with calcium hydroxide of cement, forming calcium hydrate, as a result of which building structures become more stable.

The normal brittleness of concrete is lessened due to the addition of silica fumes, preventing the untimely collapse these concrete structures. The corrosion of these buildings due to water is also prevented, as silica fumes stop the entry of chloride ions present in water deep inside the concrete surfaces.

Notable traits that mark silica vapors for concrete buildings

Since silica fume is non-crystalline in nature, it is more reactive than many other chemicals. Therefore, it binds with concrete instantly, making the buildings much stronger. Usually, a particle of silica fume is 1/100th in size of a concrete particle. Thus, greater surface areas are available when added silica vapors for concrete structures, rendering better chances of chemical reactions between these substances.

So, the silica fume is compulsorily included among the building materials for all concrete structures, created by reputed builders.