Where is quartz sand used? Characteristics and Applications of Quartz Sand

Quartz sand is a granular material of mineral origin. Formed as a result of the destruction of quartz-containing rocks. The distribution in the earth's crust is very wide.

The size of the sand fractions varies in the range of 0.1-6 mm. The composition of quartz rocks often contains various impurities in the form of clay carbonates, iron oxides, feldspars and other rocks. They give quartz (naturally transparent or white) different shades. The color scale changes from yellow to red-brown and even black.

Pure quartz sands have a minimum of inert impurities: up to 99% of the composition is silica. Chemical formula SiO2. The color of quartz sand without impurities is milky.

Quartz sand is divided into two types: material of natural and artificial origin.

The first is found in the form of enriched quartz sand of different fractions and is extracted mechanically from the developed deposit. The second also has a natural origin: the raw material is crushed vein quartz - a customary rock (pure quartz). Drilling and blasting is used for mining, and then the resulting material is crushed for further use.

Quartz sand is classified into several categories based on its origin. River, mountain and burial sand is mined, respectively, on the banks of rivers, in places where rocks emerge and under the soil at a certain depth. The river variety contains a minimal amount of contaminants.

Quartz sand is also divided according to the shape of grains into rounded and crushed. Rounded looks like rounded grains, crushed looks like uneven chipped grains.

Quartz sand mining and production

The extraction of quartz fractional sand is carried out by an open method from a quarry or by a dredger from natural deposits in the floodplains of rivers and lakes.

A small amount of impurities and a large amount of quartz - this is the difference between developments in which quartz sand is mined from quarries in which ordinary construction sand is mined. The mined raw material goes through a number of technological processes: washing from mud deposits and cleaning from impurities by a chemical method.

This process is called beneficiation, it serves to obtain sand of the required quality. As a result, the content of quartz rock increases, and the purest material is obtained, which, after drying in special installations, passes through a series of sieves and is divided into fractions. The resulting products are called fractional quartz sand.

The process of extraction by a dredger is as follows: a mixture of sand and water from the bottom of the reservoir is pumped and transferred through a special pipeline to the storage site. The water is gradually separated from the extracted soil and goes through the drains back into the reservoir. The resulting material is sent to the enterprise for its further enrichment and separation into fractions.

Artificial quartz sand is obtained from vein quartz rock, which is first sent to a crushing plant. There the raw materials are crushed into grains. This is followed by procedures similar to those when working with quarry sand: the material is washed, dried and separated by a technical sieve into fractions.

Characteristics and properties of quartz sand

Features of quartz sand

The peculiarity of quartz sand, which distinguishes it from other types of sand, is that this material is monomineral, that is, consisting of only one mineral - quartz. This uniformity makes it a valuable industrial raw material. A small proportion of impurities makes it possible to obtain glass with a high degree of transparency from the raw material.

Another feature is intergranular porosity. Compared to other materials, quartz sand provides the greatest dirt holding capacity. In addition to this property, there is a low degree of wear of the grains of sand, and quartz sand is excellent already as a filtering material.

Chemical properties of quartz sand

The crystalline structure of quartz gives it and the sand obtained from it exceptional characteristics of strength and resistance to the action of alkaline and acidic materials. Very high hardness, refractoriness and chemical composition of quartz sand determine its increased refractoriness and fire safety. The material is dielectric in terms of its properties and is inert to a wide range of chemicals.

Physical properties of quartz sand

All properties of quartz are characteristic of sand:

bulk density 1300-1500 g / cm3 abrasion - 0.1 crumbling - 0.3 hardness (Mohs scale) - 7 (for comparison, diamond hardness - 10) use by radioactivity - class 1

The density of quartz sand is determined by two different approaches.

There is a bulk density, and there is a true density. Bulk is calculated as the ratio of the mass of the material in the free-flowing state to its volume. This value includes pores in sand grains and air spaces between them.

That is, this value may vary depending on the moisture content of the material. True density is a constant value, it is the ratio of a substance in an absolutely dense state to its volume. The moisture content of the sand does not matter.

To change the density, the chemical composition or molecular structure must be changed. Bulk density is less than true. The density of the material is an important characteristic that must be taken into account when calculating storage spaces, transporting it and moving it with lifting and transport equipment.

Abrasion, crushing and hardness of quartz sand are indirect indicators of its strength. To determine the values, the grains are tested on a rotating abrasive metal wheel, the mass of fractions is compressed by a mechanical method and scratched with the grain of the standard and, conversely, with the standard of grain.

Quartz sand fractions:

dusty - less than 0.1 mm fine-grained: 0.1 - 0.8 mm medium-grained: 0.8 - 1.6 mm; coarse: 1.6 - 6.0 mm

Powdered and fine-grained quartz sand is used as a part of various building materials, such as building mixtures, putties, groutings, abrasive materials, thin plasters and paints.

Quartz sand of medium grain size is used for filtration and purification of liquids, for sandblasting, for building mixtures, facade and interior plasters, self-leveling floors, concrete solutions, in landscape design, for backfilling of sports grounds.

The material of large fractions is used for the manufacture of paving slabs, concrete blocks, and landscape decoration. It is also used for filtering.

Sand of all fractions is used in the glass, foundry and chemical industries.

Application of quartz sand

For water purification and filtration

The chemical and physical properties of quartz sand make it ideal for use as a water filter. Drinking or technical water, including in swimming pools, can be efficiently and easily cleaned from mechanical impurities and reducing the content of iron, fluorides, chlorides, sulfates, heavy metal salts and other harmful impurities. Excellent adhesive properties help to attract dirt to the surface of the grains of sand.

Quartz sand for filters is used in the first stage of multistage household and industrial filters for mechanical preliminary cleaning. Multiple use is possible, since the material is easily washed out in case of contamination by means of water-air rinsing. The use of a quartz sand filter extends the life of the subsequent filter stages.

Sandblasting works

One of the most effective surface cleaning techniques is sandblasting. Quartz sand or other abrasive is sprayed onto the surface (glass, metal, stone, wood) to be cleaned using a compressed jet of air or water.

Grains of sand fly at great speed and destroy the top layer of the surface, cleaning it from scale, corrosion and other coatings. Care must be taken not to damage the stone itself together with the removed layer, for example mold on old masonry. Quartz sand for sandblasting must be selected taking into account the surface material, the degree of its contamination and further processing.

The main areas of work:

cleaning metal from rust and other contaminants; degreasing surfaces; glass matting; cleaning concrete and masonry; roughening the surface for further processing.

There is a wide variety of abrasives available today, but dry quartz sand remains the most sought after for sandblasting.

Quartz sand for self-leveling floors

Polymer floors filled with quartz sand are durable, seamless, non-slip and hygienic flooring that is easy to clean. Quartz sand for self-leveling floors is a good way to reduce the cost of a traditional self-leveling floor.

This material is suitable for both new coatings and existing concrete floors. Most often, polymer floors are used in rooms with significant abrasive loads on the concrete surface. Self-leveling floors in this case are used as a finishing decorative coating.

It has a smooth and attractive surface, excellent resistance to stress. Such a floor is characterized by low abrasion, since the polymer in this case acts as a binder, and the main functional load associated with wear is borne by a quartz filler, the abrasion of which is extremely low. To preserve the decorative properties, the floor must be covered with mastic, protective varnish or wax.

Quartz sand in the foundry industry

Molding quartz sand is used in the metallurgical industry for the manufacture of molds for casting and cores. The quality of casting in one-off molds is directly related to the characteristics of the foundry sand.

The accuracy of the casting, the quality of its surface, the structure and properties of the cast alloys, the likelihood of developing defects and the need for complex finishing operations are highly dependent on the characteristics of the sand. The complex of operations associated with the manufacture of the mold makes up about 60% of the labor costs for obtaining castings. Molding quartz sands have a uniformity coefficient of 72 to 80% and are characterized by increased strength and refractoriness.

Glass production

The glass industry is one of the main consumers of quartz sand. Glass quartz sand intended for the manufacture of glass must meet special requirements. In the material, the proportion of silicon oxide must be at least 95%, clay impurities must be no more than 1%, and iron oxide must be no more than 1%.

In high grades, the silicon oxide content reaches 99.8%. The moisture in the dried sand should be no more than 0.5%. The proportion of impurities in the sand directly affects the transparency of the glass made from it.

Quartz sand is the basis for the manufacture of all types of glass. Conventional window, medical, fiberglass, laboratory, electronics and so on are made from one material. Therefore, great attention is paid to the purification of raw materials in the production of quartz sand.

Depending on the chemical composition, sand is classified by brands that have a letter designation and purpose:

OVS - products of particular responsibility with high translucency; OVS - products with high translucency; VS - products with high translucency; C - translucent products; B - colorless products; PB - semi-white products; PS - products with reduced translucency; T - dark glass -green.

For sports surfaces

When organizing sports grounds with a surface in the form of artificial grass, a backfill of quartz sand in combination with rubber granulate or only quartz sand can be used. On football fields, a composite compound is used: crumb rubber softens friction in the event of a sliding fall of a player. On tennis courts, multifunctional playgrounds, school stadiums and training areas, only quartz sand is poured between the grass.

Excellent drainage properties of sand, provided that the grass is laid on the field correctly, is a guarantee that, even with precipitation, puddles and dirt will not form on the field. Quartz sand for sports surfaces is environmentally friendly, environmentally neutral and proven to be durable. Thus, the use of quartz sand as an artificial turf substrate gives a special comfort when playing and training on sports grounds.

For road surfaces

Quartz sand for road surfaces can be used to indicate hazardous areas and special attention.

Colored material can be used to highlight road crossings, public transport stops, entrances to industrial facilities or schools. Sharp turns on highways, covered with quartz chips, will reduce the risk of passing through such sections. The increased roughness will increase traction and reduce the risk of uncontrollable skidding.

You can use quartz sand for garden paths and paths, as well as pedestrian areas. Excellent decorative and hygienic properties will allow you to keep the walking alleys in proper shape without much effort.

Quartz sand is practically indispensable in a variety of applications and is one of the most important components for home and manufacturing.

Technologies with its use have been worked out to perfection. Attractive natural color, as well as the possibility of coloring in any shade due to excellent absorbent properties, expands the usual scope of application. For practicality, the material can be given the highest score.

Quartz sand is a material that is of natural origin and is characterized by such characteristics as chemical inertness, resistance to destruction, strength, and the possibility of sorption. Most often it is used in the filtration of oil products and water, for the production of finishing and building materials, as well as in the creation of swimming pools. Now about everything in more detail.

Filtration capacity

Quartz sand for filters is used much more often than any other natural material. The fact is that its porosity is much higher in comparison with ordinary crushed sand.

This, in turn, provides it with a higher dirt holding capacity and sorption capacity, due to which even elements such as manganese and dissolved iron are removed from the water. For the same reason, quartz sand for a pool, artificial pond or lake, or rather, for their filtration system, is almost always used. The recommended fractions in these cases are in the range from 0.4 to 6.0 millimeters.

Use in construction

Quartz sand is widely used in the construction industry, in particular, in the creation of polyurethane and epoxy floors. In this case, it must have a coarse-grained fraction.

The use of this material in the manufacture of plaster and building mixtures is due to its high chemical resistance, mechanical resistance to crushing and abrasion, as well as color stability. Fine fractions are well suited for sandblasting work on glass, concrete and metal. The material is also used in the production of artificial stone.

Other areas

The use of quartz sand is not limited to all of the above. It is often used in the construction of greenhouse drainage systems, drilling water wells, as a feed for poultry, and as a filler for electrical insulators and waterproofing material. Recently, this type of sand can be found in aquarium and landscape design.

Production

Quartz sand, being a fairly common natural material, does not go directly from the quarry to filters, building materials or other areas of application. This can be primarily explained by the nuance that in order to solve certain problems it is necessary to select a suitable faction. In addition, sand usually contains a large number of various impurities, and therefore the material needs preliminary processing, which is a rather complicated process.

Application features

The emergence of ready-to-use quartz sand is preceded by several operations at once, including purification of raw materials from impurities, drying, fractionation, dosage and packaging.

At the same time, in no case should the importance of the fraction for this material be underestimated, because in certain industries (for example, in the production of glass) it plays a key role. Another important criterion that characterizes quartz sand is the absence of a chemical reaction. This applies, first of all, to construction, because after the hardening of cement mortars or concrete, undesirable consequences may occur.

Quartz sand is made from quartz, a natural mineral that is found in abundance. Quartz is crushed into small fractions, resulting in fractions ranging in size from 0.01 to 3 mm in diameter.

Depending on the size of the fraction, not only the price changes, but also the purpose of the sand. Bulk material is obtained as a result of either natural crushing or artificial crushing. As a result, the mineral is transformed into fractions of different sizes, which are further used for various purposes.

Composition and chemical-physical properties of quartz sand

The composition of quartz sand is regulated by GOST 21-38, TU. According to this GOST, at least 95% of silicon oxide must be present in the composition, the presence of clay is not more than 1%, iron is not more than 1%.

Humidity should not exceed 10%. The color of the sand depends on the impurities in it, so the presence of titanium in the composition gives the sand a pink color, iron - brown, pure quartz has a milky tint or has no color. Burnt sand is usually yellow.

However, there are other requirements as well.

For example, if the sand is intended for the silicate industry, it can be divided into three classes. Class A must have at least 70% silicon oxide, B - at least 60%, C - at least 50%. The sand for the glass industry is divided according to the level of transparency.

Quartz sand is a very hard, refractory and refractory material, resistant to acids and alkalis, is not afraid of temperature changes, and is also a dielectric.

These properties allow it to be used in various industries. Moreover, the use of quartz sand in a particular area depends on its specific characteristics. The quartz sand that we offer has undergone heat treatment, which is required to remove moisture and improve the quality of the sand.

Applications of quartz sand

Calcined quartz sand is used:

for sandblasting, in the manufacture of dry building mixtures, in landscape design, in urban landscaping, when laying paving slabs, in shotcrete.

Calcined quartz sand is more expensive than other types, the cost of quartz sand is explained by the fact that the processing process itself is quite expensive. However, the quality of this type of sand is significantly higher - the firing process allows you to thoroughly clean the quartz sand from impurities, including clay and gravel, after which the sand is sifted pro-fractionally and packed into big bags - special synthetic containers that protect the material from dirt and humidity. This also affects the quality of the sand.

In sandblasting works, fine-grained quartz sand is usually used. In many countries, dry sandblasting is prohibited due to the high risks, while in Russia this process requires the use of a cleaning suit and strict adherence to safety precautions. In addition, hydrotreating is used - the supply of abrasives under a stream of water, it is safer.

For dry building mixtures, various types of quartz sand are used, both fine and coarse. The latter are in demand in the manufacture of decorative plaster and other decorative mixtures.

In landscape design and urban landscaping, quartz sand is used for sprinkling paths, creating gardens, even in sandpits.

When laying paving slabs, sand is used as a substrate, and in gunning - as sand in a cement-sand mortar.

Conclusion

Quartz sand is required in so many areas, from construction and renovation to landscaping, sandblasting and landscaping. The properties and characteristics of quartz sand make it a unique material, strong, reliable and durable.

Ordinary white quartz sand is also actively used for landscape design; designers are very fond of using it as a cover for paths. You have probably seen colored coarse sand in souvenir shops and aquariums, fine and medium-grained sand is also used for cleaners and filters, including for swimming pools. Quartz flour is used in glass production, foundry and many other industries.

Sand is the most important material, without which it is almost impossible to imagine any large construction or any minor repairs. Today, there are three main types of such material: river, quartz and gully. Accordingly, each has a name for its origin.

The main applications of quartz sand are: decoration materials, glass production, road marking paint, filtration and water treatment.

But quartz sand is becoming more and more popular every day. What is it?

And what is its main purpose? All this is very important to know if you want to use such a material in construction. Therefore, we will consider these points in more detail.

Characteristics and basic properties of quartz sand

Quartz sand application table, depending on the fraction.

Quartz sand is free-flowing quartz - the most durable material in nature. Such sand can be obtained both naturally, when natural stone crushing occurs, and artificially, when quartz is deliberately crushed. But most often quartz is crushed on its own.

Quartz sand is most often a very free-flowing homogeneous material, which, depending on the specific subspecies of quartz and the nature of its crushing, differs in fractions. The minimum size of grains of sand will be about 0.05 mm, the maximum - 3 mm. Quartz material very often contains additional impurities in small amounts, but it can also contain up to 90% silica.

Whichever method it is extracted, it undergoes additional thorough cleaning, sieving, and also sorting into fractions. This makes it possible to divide the material into grades, as well as weed out low-quality sand and debris from it.

It has several more properties that distinguish it favorably from all other types of sands. This is a high adsorption capacity, unusual resistance to mechanical and temperature influences, as well as a high degree of adhesion to various materials and mixtures.

Quartz sand is a popular building material and raw materials for the glass industry. Compared to other types of inert raw materials, quartz is distinguished by its purity, strength and filtering ability. It has a unique composition and high characteristics, due to which it is widely used in various economic areas. Consider what it consists of, what properties it has and where it is used.

Quartz sand - composition and features

Quartz sand is inert material of natural origin... It is formed as a result of the natural destruction of solid rocks and is widespread in nature.

The grain size ranges from 0.1 to 3.0 mm... Quartz often contains impurities of other minerals. It can be clay carbonates, feldspars, iron oxide. Depending on the type and amount of impurities, it can acquire different shades - from light yellow to brown, while the pure material is transparent or has a white color.

Natural quartz formula - SiO2... The pure substance is 99.0% silica and practically does not contain other components.

By origin there are such types of quartz:

They are distinguished by the shape of the grain rounded view- with round and smooth granules, and crushed- with particles of irregular geometric shape and a rough surface.

The main feature of this is its monominerality, i.e. it consists of one substance. The homogeneity of its composition makes it a valuable material for construction and a demanded raw material for the metallurgical and glass industries.

It is also different high porosity and dirt holding capacity, therefore, it is widely used as a filler for hydraulic filters. Due to its crystalline structure, it has high strength, resistance to chemical alkalis and acids. It also has dielectric properties and inertness towards many substances.

Main directions of use:

purification of water in swimming pools;
production of blocks, tiles, glass, casting molds;
preparation of plaster solutions;
landscape design.

The quality of raw materials, which is used in various fields, is regulated by the provisions of GOST.

Types of quartz sand

Distinguish between quartz sands natural and artificial... Sand of natural origin is extracted from quarries by mechanical means. Artificial - by crushing quartz rocks into fractions of different sizes.

According to the shape of grains, quartz sand is divided into rounded and crushed... Rounded has a rounded appearance, crushed - it is distinguished by an uneven, chipped shape.

From the area in which quartz sand is applied, it is classified into sand glass grade, molding and fractional.

Distinctive features

If we compare quartz sand with construction sand, then it will be favorably distinguished by its monominerality (uniformity) of composition. Intergranular porosity provides its highest, in comparison with other materials, dirt holding capacity, and insignificant wear of grains of sand makes quartz sand quite valuable as a filtering material.

Quartz sand mining and production

Quartz sand is obtained by the development of its deposits, or by crushing rocks containing quartz.

Extraction of natural quartz sand

Quartz sand is mined in places of its natural occurrence in various ways.

Open way

It is used in the open-pit, mechanical mining method. The following construction machinery and equipment are used: excavators, dump trucks, bulldozers, scrapers, aerial ropeways. According to the technology of quartz sand mining in an open way, first, the upper layers of soil that hide the deposit are removed. Then trenches are laid for the entrance of transport equipment.

Closed way

It is used in the development of underwater deposits of quartz sand, in river beds and reservoirs. With the closed method, a hydromechanical extraction method is used. In this case, floating installations and dredgers are used. A powerful earth pump is installed on fixed floating platforms.

The rock, loosened with the help of a mechanical opener, is sucked into the pipe system by a pump and poured into the dumps, from where the water that got along with the sand flows back into the river. Later, the dried sand is poured into the bodies of dump trucks with the help of excavators and transported to the place of its further processing.

Quartz sand obtained during the development open and closed, contains a large amount of impurities, therefore, it undergoes additional processing. It is washed and freed from all kinds of contaminants, then dried to the required moisture level.

The peculiarity of natural quartz sand in the rounded shape of its grains of sand, what served to get them the name - rounded. Such sand is often used for playgrounds and various sports arenas, since it is less traumatic and meets the sanitary standards for such structures.

Artificial quartz sand production

Artificial quartz sand is obtained from rocks containing quartz by crushing them in special stone crushing machines. The processing process also includes rinsing and further drying.

When quartz is crushed, its particles are uneven and have different sizes. To obtain crushed sand, homogeneous in composition, it is sieved and distributed into fractions.

The following fractions are distinguished, depending on the size of its grains of sand:

dusty - with a particle size of less than 0.1 mm;
middle fraction - has a diameter of 0.1 to 0.4 mm;
coarse sand - the size of grains of sand is from 0.5 to 1 mm;
quartz chips - the largest fraction with a grain size of more than 1 mm.

Artificial crushed quartz sand has a more homogeneous and purer composition than natural, as it is obtained by crushing solid rock. It is not contaminated by impurities that are inevitable when sand is extracted from the soil. The price of such sand will be much higher than the price of natural sand.

An integral feature of crushed quartz sand is its porous structure, which is due to the technology of its production. This feature gives artificial quartz sand the ability to collect a large amount of dirt on its surface, which is widely used in the production of industrial and household filters.

Characteristics and properties

Grains of quartz sand can have a diameter of 0.05 mm to 3 mm. Depending on the impurities contained in their composition, the sand can be of different colors. For example, a high iron content gives it a brown color. From quartz containing titanium, pink sand is obtained. Pure, free from impurities, quartz is colorless, or it can have a milky tint. The sand obtained from this rock is pure white.

The density of quartz sand is not less than 1400 g / cm3
Use by radioactivity - class 1
Mohs hardness - 7
Crushing - 0.3
Abrasion - 0.1

Chemical and physical properties

Quartz has a crystalline structure. This structure gives this mineral and the sand derived from it exceptional strength and resistance to acids and alkalis. Quartz sand is a very hard and refractory material, its chemical composition determines its fire safety and increased refractoriness. Sand obtained from quartz is inert to most chemicals and has dielectric properties.

Requirements for industrial quartz sand

In terms of chemical composition, industrial quartz sand must have at least 95% of the content of silicon oxide. The ratio of clay impurities should not exceed 1%. The presence of iron oxide - no more than 1%. The moisture content in the dried sand should not exceed 10%.

Special requirements apply to glass grade sand. Depending on its chemical composition, it is separated by brands. with the following letter designations:

OOVS - especially responsible for high translucency;
OBC - responsible for high transparency;
ВС - high transparency;
C - translucent;
B - colorless;
PB - semi-white;
PS - low transparency;
T - dark green glass.

Quartz sand for the silicate industry is divided into classes:

class A - the content of silicon oxide is more than 70%;
class B - not less than 60%;
class C - not less than 50%.

Applications of quartz sand

The high physical and chemical properties of quartz sand are used in a wide variety of industrial fields. Moreover, its use in a particular industry directly depends on the type of sand and its physical characteristics.

Glass grade sand

It is used in the glass industry, for the production of fiberglass, glass containers, insulating materials, porcelain and ceramic products. Such sand has a fraction of 0.1 to 0.4 mm.

Molding sand

It is used in metallurgy in the manufacture of casting molds. For foundry, fractions that are uniform in particle size are used. The uniformity coefficient of molding sands should have indicators from 72 to 80%. Products obtained from this kind of sand are characterized by increased refractoriness and strength.

Fractional sand

It is used in a wide variety of industries. Fractions with a particle diameter of less than 0.1 mm (pulverized) are used as filler for high-quality building mixtures. For example, pulverized quartz is a part of epoxy or polyurethane-based self-leveling floors, decorative plasters and as a tinting pigment in finishing materials.

Quartz sand with a grain size of 0.2 to 0.8 mm is used for abrasive processing of metal, glass and stone surfaces using sandblasting machines. At the same time, metal products get rid of extraneous contamination, rust and scale. This way you can remove old paint and prepare the product for re-painting. Glass and stone surfaces are sanded with quartz sand to the required degree of smoothness.

Large fractions of quartz sand (quartz chips) are used in landscape design for the device of fill paths and paths.
In everyday life, coarse quartz sand is used to decorate decorative elements of the interior.

Filters for industrial and domestic water purification contain mixed fractions of quartz sand, but not below average. This heterogeneity provides the best sorption properties of the filler. Quartz sand is also used in the purification of oil products from impurities.

It is widely used as a soil for aquariums and in children's art. painted quartz sand... The principle of painting consists in applying paint on an epoxy or polyurethane base to the surface of quartz grains. Such sand is resistant to physical and chemical influences, does not wear out and does not fade.

Colored quartz sand It is used in the production of mosaic plaster and other finishing materials, giving mortars of the desired color and for road marking of asphalt pavement.

In the food industry, quartz sand is used in the preparation of brewed coffee.

In the construction industry, quartz sand is used for the production of silicate bricks and refractory concrete.

Quartz sand is used in road works, as an anti-slip element of the road surface.

In animal husbandry, large fractions of quartz sand are added to feed to facilitate mechanical grinding of grain feed in the poultry crop.

The dielectric properties of quartz sand are used in the manufacture of electrical fuse elements.

Application of quartz sand for filtration of pool water

Currently, pools with a water purification system using quartz sand as a filtration material are widely used.

The principle of operation of filters with quartz sand

The pool filter consists of a pump and a filtration device that looks like a rounded container with a volume that can hold up to 50 kg of quartz sand. With the help of a pump, water is supplied to the top of the filtration device. After passing through the layer of sand, the water is purified and through the outlet at the bottom of the filter is poured back into the pool.

What sand is suitable for the filter

Crushed quartz sand with a particle size of 0.1 to 1 mm is used as a filler for the filter. At the same time, the purity of the water directly depends on the size of the grains of sand. The finer the fraction, the finer dirt particles it can retain and the better the cleaning process will be.

The size of the filter container will also affect the purity of the water. The larger the volume, the more quartz sand it will hold, and the cleaner the water will be. A good filter is capable of trapping dirt particles as small as 20-25 microns.

Advantages of quartz sand as a pool filter

Replacement of quartz sand occurs no more than 1-2 times a year, depending on the degree of load. Compared to the cartridge cleaning method, the quartz sand filter is much more convenient and economical, since it does not require frequent replacement of the filter element.

Caring for a filter containing quartz sand does not require special knowledge and does not take much time.

The use of quartz sand in sandblasting

One of the main areas of application of quartz sand is its use as an abrasive material for mechanical cleaning or grinding various types of surfaces and materials using sandblasting machines.

The basic principle of the sandblasting machine

The principle of operation of sandblasting machines is to supply a jet of air containing abrasive particles to the surface to be cleaned or grinded. The blows of grains of sand knock down the dirt protruding from the surface of the material and polish it to the required state.

Very often, a jet of water is used as the kinetic force. Such sandblasting is used when it is necessary to obtain a degreased surface with a minimum dust content.

What surfaces can be sandblasted?

For sandblasting with quartz sand, metal surfaces, stone and glass are suitable.

Rust, old paint and other types of contamination are removed from metal. Construction surfaces made of stone, brick, concrete and reinforced concrete are cleaned with sandblasting machines before final construction work.

Glass surfaces are polished with the finest fractions of quartz sand to the required state.

What sand is suitable for sandblasting?

For sandblasting machines, sand of a wide variety of fractions is used. The diameter of the abrasive depends on the type of sandblasting and the surface to be treated.

For coarse cleaning of old and deep dirt and rust, coarse sand is taken, its diameter can reach up to 5 mm. Medium and fine fractions are used at the final stage of cleaning and grinding.

Requirements for quartz sand

There are generally accepted requirements for the quality of quartz sand for sandblasting. So, for example, the moisture content of sand with a dry cleaning method should not exceed 0.1%. An increase in the total volume of moisture will lead to the adhesion of grains of sand to the nozzle wall and reduce the speed of their flight, and, accordingly, the force of impact.

Specific gravity is determined by the mass and the rate of emission of a quartz particle. At the same time, an increase in mass leads to a higher speed and power of impact of a grain of sand on the treated surface.

Another important indicator is the toughness of the abrasive material. Depends on the composition of quartz sand and the presence of impurities in it. The strength of the particles supplied to the surface to be cleaned and the quality of the work performed depend on the magnitude of the impact strength.

Quartz is the most abundant mineral found in the earth's crust. The sand obtained as a result of its natural or artificial crushing is called quartz.

Types of quartz sand

According to the shape of grains, quartz sand is divided into rounded and crushed... Rounded has a rounded appearance, crushed - it is distinguished by an uneven, chipped shape.

From the area in which quartz sand is applied, it is classified into sand glass grade, molding and fractional.

Distinctive features

Features of production and technical indicators of quartz sand make it a fairly valuable raw material for industry. It is not used as a filler for building mixtures, it is not used to level the surface of the earth in construction, and it is not poured into trenches. This will be disadvantageous from an economic point of view. The cost of quartz sand is much higher than that of ordinary building sand.
If we compare quartz sand with construction sand, then it will be favorably distinguished by its monominerality (uniformity) of composition. Intergranular porosity provides its highest, in comparison with other materials, dirt holding capacity, and insignificant wear of grains of sand makes quartz sand quite valuable as a filtering material.

Quartz sand mining and production

Quartz sand is obtained by the development of its deposits, or by crushing rocks containing quartz.

Extraction of natural quartz sand
Quartz sand is mined in places of its natural occurrence in various ways.

Open way
It is used in the open-pit, mechanical mining method. The following construction machinery and equipment are used: excavators, dump trucks, bulldozers, scrapers, aerial ropeways. According to the technology of quartz sand mining in an open way, first, the upper layers of soil that hide the deposit are removed. Then trenches are laid for the entrance of transport equipment.

Closed way
It is used in the development of underwater deposits of quartz sand, in river beds and reservoirs. With the closed method, a hydromechanical extraction method is used. In this case, floating installations and dredgers are used. A powerful earth pump is installed on fixed floating platforms. The rock, loosened with the help of a mechanical opener, is sucked into the pipe system by a pump and poured into the dumps, from where the water that got along with the sand flows back into the river. In the future, the dried sand is poured with the help of excavators into the bodies of dump trucks and transported to the place of its further processing.

Artificial quartz sand production
Artificial quartz sand is obtained from rocks containing quartz by crushing them in special stone crushing machines. The processing process also includes rinsing and further drying.

When quartz is crushed, its particles are uneven and have different sizes. To obtain crushed sand, homogeneous in composition, it is sieved and distributed into fractions.

The following fractions are distinguished, depending on the size of its grains of sand:

dusty - with a particle size of less than 0.1 mm;
middle fraction - has a diameter of 0.1 to 0.4 mm;
coarse sand - the size of grains of sand is from 0.5 to 1 mm;
quartz chips - the largest fraction with a grain size of more than 1 mm.

Characteristics and properties

The density of quartz sand is not less than 1400 g / cm3
Use by radioactivity - class 1
Mohs hardness - 7
Crushing - 0.3
Abrasion - 0.1

Chemical and physical properties

Requirements for industrial quartz sand
In terms of chemical composition, industrial quartz sand must have at least 95% of the content of silicon oxide. The ratio of clay impurities should not exceed 1%. The presence of iron oxide - no more than 1%. The moisture content in the dried sand should not exceed 10%.
Special requirements apply to glass grade sand. Depending on its chemical composition, it is separated by brands. with the following letter designations:

OOVS - especially responsible for high translucency;
OBC - responsible for high transparency;
ВС - high transparency;
C - translucent;
B - colorless;
PB - semi-white;
PS - low transparency;
T - dark green glass.

Quartz sand for the silicate industry is divided into classes:

class A - the content of silicon oxide is more than 70%;
class B - not less than 60%;
class C - not less than 50%.

Applications of quartz sand

Glass grade sand
It is used in the glass industry, for the production of fiberglass, glass containers, insulating materials, porcelain and ceramic products. Such sand has a fraction of 0.1 to 0.4 mm. The iron oxide content of the feedstock affects the grade of the resulting glass. To clean sand from iron-containing impurities, its magnetic enrichment is used. In this case, the raw material is subjected to magnetic separation by dry or wet method.

Molding sand
It is used in metallurgy in the manufacture of casting molds. For foundry, fractions that are uniform in particle size are used. The uniformity coefficient of molding sands should have indicators from 72 to 80%. Products obtained from this kind of sand are distinguished by increased refractoriness and strength.

Fractional sand
It is used in a wide variety of industries.
Fractions with a particle diameter of less than 0.1 mm (pulverized) are used as filler for high-quality building mixtures. For example, pulverized quartz is a part of epoxy or polyurethane-based self-leveling floors, decorative plasters and as a tinting pigment in finishing materials.

Colored quartz sand It is used in the production of mosaic plaster and other finishing materials, giving mortars of the desired color and for road marking of asphalt pavement.

In the food industry, quartz sand is used in the preparation of brewed coffee.

In the construction industry, quartz sand is used for the production of silicate bricks and refractory concrete.

Quartz sand is used in road works, as an anti-slip element of the road surface.

In animal husbandry, large fractions of quartz sand are added to feed to facilitate mechanical grinding of grain feed in the poultry crop.

The dielectric properties of quartz sand are used in the manufacture of electrical fuse elements.

Application of quartz sand for filtration of pool water

Currently, pools with a water purification system using quartz sand as a filtration material are widely used.

The principle of operation of filters with quartz sand
The pool filter consists of a pump and a filtration device that looks like a rounded container with a volume that can hold up to 50 kg of quartz sand. With the help of a pump, water is supplied to the top of the filtration device. After passing through the layer of sand, the water is purified and through the outlet at the bottom of the filter is poured back into the pool.

What sand is suitable for the filter
Crushed quartz sand with a particle size of 0.1 to 1 mm is used as a filler for the filter. At the same time, the purity of the water directly depends on the size of the grains of sand. The finer the fraction, the finer dirt particles it can retain and the better the cleaning process will be. The size of the filter container will also affect the purity of the water. The larger the volume, the more quartz sand it will hold, and the cleaner the water will be. A good filter is capable of trapping dirt particles as small as 20-25 microns.

Advantages of quartz sand as a pool filter
Replacement of quartz sand occurs no more than 1-2 times a year, depending on the degree of load. Compared to the cartridge cleaning method, the quartz sand filter is much more convenient and economical, since it does not require frequent replacement of the filter element.
Caring for a filter containing quartz sand does not require special knowledge and does not take much time.

The use of quartz sand in sandblasting

One of the main areas of application of quartz sand is its use as an abrasive material for mechanical cleaning or grinding various types of surfaces and materials using sandblasting machines.

The basic principle of the sandblasting machine
The principle of operation of sandblasting machines is to supply a jet of air containing abrasive particles to the surface to be cleaned or grinded. The blows of grains of sand knock down the dirt protruding from the surface of the material and polish it to the required state.
Very often, a jet of water is used as the kinetic force. Such sandblasting is used when it is necessary to obtain a degreased surface with a minimum dust content.

What surfaces can be sandblasted?
For sandblasting with quartz sand, metal surfaces, stone and glass are suitable.
Rust, old paint and other types of contamination are removed from metal.
Construction surfaces made of stone, brick, concrete and reinforced concrete are cleaned with sandblasting machines prior to final construction work.
Glass surfaces are polished with the smallest fractions of quartz sand to the required state.

What sand is suitable for sandblasting?
For sandblasting machines, sand of a wide variety of fractions is used. The diameter of the abrasive depends on the type of sandblasting and the surface to be treated. For coarse cleaning of old and deep dirt and rust, coarse sand is taken, its diameter can reach up to 5 mm. Medium and fine fractions are used at the final stage of cleaning and grinding.

Requirements for quartz sand
There are generally accepted requirements for the quality of quartz sand for sandblasting. So, for example, the moisture content of sand with a dry cleaning method should not exceed 0.1%. An increase in the total volume of moisture will lead to the adhesion of grains of sand to the nozzle wall and reduce the speed of their flight, and, accordingly, the force of impact.