SiO2
Quartz sand is a crucial raw material in our everyday lives. It can be found in toothpaste, porcelain, screens, transportation, road surfaces, computers, solar panels, concrete and cookware. Even clothing and paper have references to quartz sand. This inconspicuous resource is of great importance for numerous products.
The chemical and physical properties of quartz sand make it a versatile material. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is the chemical name for quartz sand and distinguishes it from other types of sand. The resource is characterized by its fine grain size and high purity. It is usually colorless or slightly tinted and has a high hardness.
Due to these properties, quartz sand is used in a variety of industrial applications.
The formation of quartz sand is a lengthy process that takes place over millions of years. Rocks such as sandstone, granite and gneiss are gradually ground down to gravel and finally to sand by natural physical processes such as solar radiation, wind and water currents, rain and microorganisms. The sediment is further eroded by winds, tides and water currents, deposited and transported over the land surface until the sand finally flows into rivers or the sea.
Through insightful excursions to a quartz plant, a glassworks and a gray cast iron factory, an in-depth understanding of the diverse industrial applications of quartz sand was gained. The experiences made it possible to explore the multi-faceted processes and technologies behind the processing of this mineral raw material and to appreciate the impressive role it plays in various industries.
Quartz sand is a crucial raw material in our everyday lives. It can be found in toothpaste, porcelain, screens, transportation, road surfaces, computers, solar panels, concrete and cookware. Even clothing and paper have references to quartz sand. This inconspicuous resource is of great importance for numerous products.
The chemical and physical properties of quartz sand make it a versatile material. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is the chemical name for quartz sand and distinguishes it from other types of sand. The resource is characterized by its fine grain size and high purity. It is usually colorless or slightly tinted and has a high hardness.
Due to these properties, quartz sand is used in a variety of industrial applications.
The formation of quartz sand is a lengthy process that takes place over millions of years. Rocks such as sandstone, granite and gneiss are gradually ground down to gravel and finally to sand by natural physical processes such as solar radiation, wind and water currents, rain and microorganisms. The sediment is further eroded by winds, tides and water currents, deposited and transported over the land surface until the sand finally flows into rivers or the sea.
Through insightful excursions to a quartz plant, a glassworks and a gray cast iron factory, an in-depth understanding of the diverse industrial applications of quartz sand was gained. The experiences made it possible to explore the multi-faceted processes and technologies behind the processing of this mineral raw material and to appreciate the impressive role it plays in various industries.
A finite resource
The use of sand resources plays a significant role in various areas such as infrastructure, coastal protection and economic development. The annual consumption of sand is approximately 50 billion tons and has increased significantly over the last two decades. This high demand has a negative impact on the environment, especially on coastal and riverside ecosystems and plant and animal habitats.
Sand mining is often concentrated in countries of the Global South to meet the needs of richer industrialized regions. Although some countries have enacted regulations and export bans, an illegal sand mafia has developed that uses violence against those who want to expose illegal mining or protect the sand. To counteract the sand problem, alternative solutions are being worked on, such as the use of desert sand that can be stabilized with polymer resins.
The use of sand resources plays a significant role in various areas such as infrastructure, coastal protection and economic development. The annual consumption of sand is approximately 50 billion tons and has increased significantly over the last two decades. This high demand has a negative impact on the environment, especially on coastal and riverside ecosystems and plant and animal habitats.
Sand mining is often concentrated in countries of the Global South to meet the needs of richer industrialized regions. Although some countries have enacted regulations and export bans, an illegal sand mafia has developed that uses violence against those who want to expose illegal mining or protect the sand. To counteract the sand problem, alternative solutions are being worked on, such as the use of desert sand that can be stabilized with polymer resins.
