The Importance of Silica to the Modern World

Abstract

The use of silica in the world today is increasingly impor tant. Silica is a major constituent ofthe modern industrial base and is used in diverse industries from glass making to oil extraction: a full list of the uses would fill many pages. Alpha quartz is found in virtually all minerals used as raw materials and represents the second most abun dant mineral species in the earth's crust after feldspar. The importance of silica cannot be disputed and it is diffi cult to envisage a world which places major restrictions on its use. Silica in a variety of forms is encountered throughout industry and the wealth of uses of silica and products containing silica clearly demonstrates how ubiquitous this material is in the daily life of the whole population. This paper looks at uses of silica and how the built environment is dependent on this mineral species.