Sodium silicate is more commonly known as "water glass." It's made by fusing sand with sodium carbonate. The proportion of sand to sodium carbonate can vary in sodium silicate formulations. No matter what the composition, the end result is a compound that is a glassy, transparent or crystalline solid. The compound also is water soluble, meaning it can be dissolved in water.
History
In the early 20th century, sodium silicate was used to preserve eggs. Fresh eggs would be immersed in it. They'd be kept fresh for about nine months. However, you need to pin-prick eggs that are preserved this way when you boil them to release steam, because the shell is no longer porous. Sodium silicate also was used in Magic Rocks toys that were invented in 1940. When the substance was combined with metals in solution, it would cause the metals to "grow." Each metal would produce a different color stalagmite.
Significance
The top use for sodium silicate today is for making silica gel. Silica gel is contained in those little packets labeled "do not eat" that are placed inside food containers to control moisture. You'll also find them in everything from shoe boxes to purses. The little packets also are handy for drying out your cell phone, keeping tools in a toolbox free from oxidation, drying out fishing flies and extending the life of your razor blades, reports a Popular Mechanics online magazine article, "8 Clever Uses for Silica Gel."
Function
Sodium silicate is a key part of the process required by the Car Allowance Rebate Program in the United States. This solution is used to quickly and inexpensively disable automobile engines. Running an engine with sodium silicate solution in lieu of motor oil causes catastrophic damage to the engine's pistons and bearings.
Features
Sodium silicate has other uses including use for auto repairs. For example, it may be used to seal head gasket leaks. Such a repair can last up to two years. The substance is used in muffler repair as well because it forms a thick paste that's easy to apply when it's dissolved in water. This repair is brittle and temporary, however. It's also used to treat wood to preserve it from insects and offer flame-retardant properties. Sodium silicate has a high melting point---generally above 1,472 degrees F. The substance is used in drilling fluids to stabilize borehole walls as well.
Other Uses
Sodium silicate is commonly found in adhesives such as those used in the paper product industry. For example, it's been used for more than eight decades to bond heavy draft corrugated paper. The substance also is used for carton and case sealing, paper laminates, and in manufacture of paper cans and tubes, according to the ChemQuest Group, Inc.
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