Applications of Fumed Silica
Fumed silica finds a wide variety of industrial applications due to its unique properties. Some major application areas of fumed silica include:
Personal Care Products: Fumed silica is widely used as a thickening agent, anticaking agent and absorbent in personal care products like cosmetics, toothpastes, sunscreens, etc. Its fine particle size helps achieve a smooth and velvety texture in these products.
Paints and Coatings: As a reinforcing and rheology additive, fumed silica imparts important characteristics to paints and coatings. It increases durability, improves flow and leveling properties, acts as an opacifying agent and prevents pigment settling. Both solvent-borne and water-based coatings utilize fumed silica.
Adhesives and Sealants: The thickening and thixotropic behaviour of fumed silica make it suitable for use in adhesives, sealants, and caulks. It is added to one- and two-component adhesives as well as silicone and acrylic sealants.
Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals: In chemical synthesis and processing, Fumed Silica is used as a thickening agent, anticaking agent, reinforcing filler, stabilizer, fluxing agent and pH control agent. In pharmaceutical applications, it is employed as a glidant, excipient and flow aid.
Food: As a cloudiness agent, glidant, anticaking agent and flow aid, fumed silica has applications in soups, seasonings, chewing gums, confectioneries and baked goods. It also prevents caking in powdered food products.
Production Process of Fumed Silica
The manufacturing of fumed silica involves an interesting production method that yields its unique properties:
- Silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) gas is vaporized and fed into a flame reactor along with hydrogen and oxygen gases.
- In the reactor, the gases burn at a temperature of around 1,100°C causing hydrolysis and oxidation of the silicon tetrachloride.
- This leads to the formation of microscopic silicon dioxide (SiO2) clusters that are in smoke-like form.
- The clusters aggregate and grow rapidly as fumed silica particles in the gas phase within the reactor.
- After exiting the flame, the fumed silica particles are collected by centrifugal separation from the hot gases.
- Additional processing such as surface treatment may be done to achieve desired properties before packaging the final product.
- The end product is a highly porous, branched chain aggregate of spherical primary particles ranging from 5-40 nm in size.
Global Market Dynamics of Fumed Silica
The global market for fumed silica has been growing steadily owing to increased demand from various end-use industries. Following are some factors influencing market trends:
- Rising sales of personal care products, paints & coatings, and electronics components have boosted fumed silica consumption globally. The personal care segment accounts for the largest share.
- Asia Pacific currently dominates global production as well as consumption of fumed silica. China leads the market supported by surging local demand from key industries.
- Stringent regulations on silica dust exposure during manufacture poses challenges but many vendors have implemented advanced production facilities to meet safety standards.
- High purity and more cost-effective grades of fumed silica developed using continuous flow process or other methods could gain wider acceptance and drive future market growth.
- New application areas being explored are energy storage, Li-ion batteries, thermal interface materials, and pharmaceutical drug delivery due to fumed silica's adsorptive activity and thickening ability.
- Leading players are expanding production capacities and geographical footprint to make most of the rising potential in developing markets. Mergers and acquisitions remain common in this evolving commercial landscape.
Get more insights on this topic: Fumed Silica
Fumed Silica industry valued approximately USD 1.5 Billion in 2016 is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than 7.12% over the forecast period 20172025.
Increasing application of fumed silica in several industries such as construction, adhesives & sealants, and automobiles are giving growth to the Fumed Silica market.The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in previous years and to forecast the values to the next eight years.
The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry with respect to each of the regions and countries involved in the study.
Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as drivers & restraining factors which will define the future growth of the market.
Additionally, it will also incorporate the opportunities available in micro markets for stakeholders to invest, detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product offerings of key players.
The detailed segments and subsegment of the market are explained below:Click here to Get free PDF Sample @ https://www.grandresearchstore.com/report-sample/fumed-silica-market-60Type:Hydrophilic Fumed SilicaHydrophobic Fumed SilicaApplication:Paints, Coatings & InksAdhesives & SealantsPharmaceuticalsUPRGel BatteriesLightingRegions:North AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeUKGermanyAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of the WorldGet the Complete Report & TOC @ https://www.grandresearchstore.com/chemicals-and-materials/fumed-silica-market-60Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows: Historical year — 2015Base year — 2016Forecast period — 2017 to 2025Some of the key manufacturers involved in the market are Evonik Industries, Cabot Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG and Tokuyama Corporation.
