Sodium Metasilicate Penta Na2SiO3.5H2O

Detergent & Hygiene: Functional Auxiliaries

In terms of production processes, there are three forms for the production of pentahydrate sodium metasilicate.
The first form is the "continuous granulation method," which involves continuously producing the required-sized particles directly from the sodium metasilicate solution through a granulation crystallization device. The quality meets the requirements of the HG/T2568-94 standard. The resulting product has a spherical particle shape, high whiteness, and good flowability, making it a high-end product. This method is suitable for large-scale production but requires strong technical expertise.
The second form includes the "crystallization and dehydration method" and the "crystallization and pulverization method." The "crystallization and dehydration method," also known as the mother liquor circulation method, involves cooling the sodium metasilicate solution with a seed crystal or mother liquor to induce crystallization. After centrifugal dehydration and dynamic drying and sieving, a powdered product is obtained. Large-scale production using this method is relatively challenging, but the product has good appearance and flowability, and its physical and chemical properties can meet the requirements of the HG/T2568-94 standard.
The "crystallization and pulverization method" involves concentrating the sodium metasilicate solution to the required concentration. By adding a seed crystal and additives, the solution is guided to crystallize into a solid block with all the free water converted into crystallization water. The solid is then crushed to obtain the final product. The advantage of this method is lower investment, but it causes more damage to the crystal structure. It also requires strict control over climate, environment, and conditions, resulting in high labor intensity. The product has lower whiteness, is prone to moisture absorption and agglomeration, and generally does not meet the requirements of the HG/T2568-94 standard in terms of physical and chemical properties.
Granular products have no dust and can meet export requirements, while the powdered products produced by the latter two methods generate more dust, which limits their export potential.
Sodium metasilicate is widely used in various detergent industries. It is used in laundry detergent powders, liquid detergents, laundry soaps, dry cleaning agents, fabric bleaching agents, and textile bleaching agents. It is also extensively used as a metal surface cleaner, beer bottle cleaner, floatation aid cleaner, and can be used as a metal rust inhibitor, descaling agent, and electronic component cleaner. It is also employed as a detergent in the food industry.
    In the oil and natural gas drilling and exploration industry, sodium metasilicate can be used as a mud viscosity regulator and a mud deflocculant.
    In the construction industry, it is used as a setting accelerator for acid-resistant mortar, acid-resistant concrete, and cement.
    In the papermaking industry, sodium metasilicate can be used as a binder, sizing agent, and surface treatment agent for paper.
    In the textile industry, it is used as a printing and dyeing auxiliary and fabric pre-treatment agent.
    Sodium metasilicate can also be used as a filler in soaps, a preservative for eggs, and in vegetation molecular sieves, silicate, and fire-resistant materials, among other applications.