SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Special Silica Sol
(Colloidal Silica)

High-purity colloidal silicon dioxide in stable aqueous dispersion. Controlled nanoparticle size from 5 to 100 nm. For investment casting ceramic shells, CMP polishing slurries, anti-corrosion coatings, and advanced catalyst substrates.

Colloidal silica nanoparticle illustration

Product Overview

Silica sol (colloidal silica) is a stable aqueous suspension of amorphous silicon dioxide nanoparticles in the 5–100 nm size range. Unlike fumed silica or precipitated silica, colloidal silica particles are discrete, spherical, and mono-dispersed — giving the product unique properties: high surface area, excellent chemical stability, and strong binding capability with inorganic substrates.

Our Special Silica Sol is produced by our proprietary ion-exchange and growth-control process, yielding tightly controlled particle size distributions across multiple grades. High-purity precursors and rigorous production controls result in low Na⁺ content and minimal metal contaminants — critical for semiconductor CMP applications and for achieving consistent ceramic shell strength in high-temperature investment casting of aerospace superalloys.

The colloidal silica particle surface is covered with silanol groups (Si-OH) that form strong chemical bonds with ceramic, metal oxide, and polymer surfaces. This makes silica sol an exceptionally effective inorganic binder and adhesion promoter in advanced materials applications. Unlike organic binders, it burns out cleanly at high temperature — leaving a pure silica network with no carbon residue in casting shells or refractory products.

Key Features

  • Controlled Particle Size: 5–100 nm nanoparticle range, tunable by grade. Narrow particle size distribution (PSD) for predictable performance.
  • High Purity SiO₂: Low Na⁺ ion content. Low heavy metals. Critical for semiconductor-grade CMP applications and food-contact catalyst supports.
  • Stable Colloidal Dispersion: No sedimentation or gelation at ambient temperature. Shelf life > 12 months in sealed containers. Stable across pH 3–11 depending on grade.
  • Zero Organic Residue: Silica sol binders burn out cleanly at casting temperatures, leaving no carbon black or organic residue that could contaminate precision alloy castings.
  • Excellent Adhesion: Silanol surface groups form strong chemical bonds with ceramic, glass, and metal oxide surfaces — superior adhesion vs. organic binders.
  • Synergy with Ceramic Fillers: Works synergistically with zirconia, alumina, and mullite slurry systems for multi-layer investment casting shell construction.
  • Custom Grades: Particle size, concentration, pH, and ionic profile can be customized for qualified customers with technical requirements outside standard grades.

Technical Specifications

ParameterFine Grade (SF-20)Standard Grade (SS-40)Coarse Grade (SC-100)
Average Particle Size5 – 20 nm20 – 50 nm50 – 100 nm
SiO₂ Content20 – 25%25 – 30%30 – 35%
Na₂O Content≤ 0.1%≤ 0.2%≤ 0.3%
pH9.0 – 10.58.5 – 10.08.0 – 9.5
Density1.12 – 1.18 g/mL1.16 – 1.22 g/mL1.20 – 1.28 g/mL
Viscosity (25°C)3 – 8 mPa·s5 – 20 mPa·s10 – 50 mPa·s
Fe (Iron)≤ 10 ppm≤ 15 ppm≤ 20 ppm
AppearanceColorless transparentSlightly opalescentOpalescent
Shelf Life12 months12 months12 months
Primary ApplicationsCMP, catalyst, fine coatingsCasting shells, coatingsInvestment casting, refractory
Packaging30 L drum / 200 L drum200 L drum / IBC200 L drum / IBC

Grades & Application Match

SF-20 | 5–20 nm

Fine Grade — CMP & Catalysis

Smallest particle size. Highest surface area. Used in chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) slurries for silicon wafers and advanced packaging, and as catalyst support material for fine chemical synthesis. Very low Na⁺ and Fe content.

SS-40 | 20–50 nm

Standard Grade — Coatings & Multi-Use

Most versatile grade. Ideal for anti-corrosion coatings (with organic binders), scratch-resistant hard coats, paper coatings, and the primary coat layer in investment casting ceramic shells. Compatible with water-based acrylic, epoxy, and polyurethane systems.

SC-100 | 50–100 nm

Coarse Grade — Investment Casting

Optimized for multi-layer investment casting shells. Larger particles improve shell permeability while maintaining green and fired strength. Compatible with zirconia, alumina, and mullite refractory slurries. Key grade for aerospace turbine blade casting.

Application Industries

Investment Casting / Lost-Wax Casting Precision Casting (Aerospace, Medical) Semiconductor CMP Polishing Anti-Corrosion Coatings Scratch-Resistant Hard Coats Catalyst Supports Paper & Inkjet Coating Refractory Binders Abrasive Lapping & Polishing Textile Anti-Slip Finishes Ceramic Body Binders Electronics Encapsulation
Investment Casting Shell Note: For aerospace turbine blade and structural casting applications, our SC-100 grade (50–100 nm) is used in combination with fused silica, zirconia, or alumina refractory powders to build 8–12 layer ceramic shells with controlled green strength of 1.5–3.0 MPa and fired strength > 5 MPa. Shell permeability is maintained by the larger particle packing to prevent hot-tearing defects in high-temperature alloy pours.

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