As mushrooms after rain in many cities around the world, grandiose skyscrapers began to grow, which are bright design solutions in which concrete and glass are organically combined. It is the building materials so demanded at present that the silicate industry produces. These include bricks and blocks. In addition to them, this sector of the national economy produces glass and ceramic products.
Silicate industry is an activity in which silicon-containing compounds (mainly sand and clay) are processed. Moreover, their manufacture is based on the use of silicate mixtures, alloys of polysilicates and aluminosilicates. It is this industry that is the main one in the production of household goods and utensils in particular. Since ancient times, ceramic utensils have been the basis of the comfort of home. This trend has continued today. At the same time, dishes not only from clay, but also from porcelain, which is considered the most noble type of ceramics, became widespread.
In addition to the production of ceramic products for tables and decorations for the interior, the silicate industry produces tiles, tiles, drainage pipes using clay compounds with various minerals. Compounds with soda, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum are common.
Moreover, depending on the properties and quality characteristics, all ceramic products can be divided into three types:
- refractory ceramics - material whose use involves contact with high temperatures (bricks and blocks for stoves, fireplaces);
- ceramics that do not change their quality and properties under the influence of chemical reagents;
- Fine ceramics, which includes utensils and household items made of faience and porcelain.
Another very popular material that is produced specifically by the silicate industry is glass. The main element for the production of raw materials is quartz sand. Depending on the desired result, various mixtures are added to it: soda, limestone, potash, lead oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt oxide, copper oxide, manganese compounds, etc. Currently, there are a huge variety of types of this material.
The silicate industry produces the following types of glass:
- fiberglass - used in aircraft and automotive industries;
- crystal glass - used for the manufacture of a variety of lenses, as well as decorative dishes, chandeliers;
- fiberglass - a mixture of fiberglass and plastic (this material is widely used in the shipbuilding, aviation and automotive industries);
- stained glass - is the main raw material for the production of colored dishes, stained glass, etc.
- chemical glass - is characterized by a high level of refractoriness, which is a priority characteristic for the chemical industry;
- ordinary glass - is a material for the manufacture of window glasses, cans, bottles, glasses, etc .;
- quartz - the cleanest glass that does not contain any impurities (this type is used in laboratories, mercury lamps).
Silicate industry is a sector of the national economy, its weight in the development of all other sectors is very large.