Silica Sand Options for Your Next Project Backfill for electrical lines and pipesĪpplications where washed sand is preferred include:.Providing traction for cars and trucks on slick roadsĪpplications where silica sand is the better choice include:. Similar applications where use of either is common include: When the white color isn’t naturally available, limestone is added as a whitener.īecause of washing and sorting, washed sand varieties usually carry a higher price tag than silica sand offerings.Īpplications of Silica Sand and Washed Sandīoth silica sand and washed sand are available for a broad range of applications. Sand traps, manmade beaches, beach volleyball courts, and play sand. This sand is mostly applied where aesthetics are the objective. This is usually a finer grit sand, which is sifted to achieve greater grain uniformity necessary for masonry bonding. Similar to concrete sand, masonry sand is mixed with concrete for construction purposes. This type of washed sand is mixed with concrete or asphalt for construction purposes and provides a smoother pour and cleaner finish. The common types of washed sand are as follows: Washed sand often undergoes additional separating and classification into grain sizes or grit sizing. Salt, clay, silt, and other powders and dust are washed out of the overall mixture. Washed sand can begin as silica sand or any other type of sand and undergoes a washing and rinsing process after mining. Additional chemical properties of silica sand include: Covalent bonding of a single silicon atom with two oxygen atoms, creating linear triatomic molecules, forms SiO2. This is the primary compound present in silica sand, which occurs in three main crystalline varieties, including quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is a naturally occurring compound of silicon and oxygen. In fact, the fine particulates of silica dust from quartz rock contribute to chronic, progressive lung injury, known as silicosis. Inhaling silica sand will also irritate the respiratory tract. It is an odorless powder that can cause irritation to the skin or eyes on contact. Silica sand can range from nearly transparent to a darker gray. The Characteristics of Silica and Washed Sand Silica Sand It also has a high purity (greater than 99%), exceeding purity levels of our competitors. Our silica sand is naturally occurring and costs less than other brands. Our sand is ideal for fracking, which requires smaller sized sand to fill the cracks during the process. MS Industries is a provider of naturally occurring smaller sized silica sand with microproppants and proppants. Washed sand goes through a cleaning or “washing” process that removes these additional substances. Silica sand consists of fine pieces of quartz and other minerals such as salt, silt, clay, dust and various powders. Posted by Jeremiah Floersch on Octo6:16 pm | Comments Off on Understanding the Difference Between Silica Sand and Washed Sand
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