Potassium silicate

Uses

Woodwork protection against fire

Impregnation of wood with a potassium silicate solution is an easy and low-cost way for rendering the woodwork of houses secure against catching fire. The woodwork is first saturated with a diluted and nearly neutral solution of potash silicate. After drying, one or two coats of a more concentrated solution are usually applied.

Horticulture

In horticulture, potassium silicate is used as a soluble source of potassium and silica. It makes the growing medium more alkaline.

It is also used as a supplement (in conjunction with normal fertilizer) for the numerous benefits that increasing the availability of silicon compounds has. Silicon-containing compounds are valuable to a plant, and serve to support the plant. Stems thicken, the plant becomes more tolerant to drought and resists wilting, and the plant gets larger leaves and fruit (because the stem can support more weight). The thicker cell walls of the plant also provides an added mechanical resistance to sap-sucking insects (e.g. spider mite) and various pathogenic fungi (e.g. powdery mildew).

Industrial uses

Some metal cleaning formulations use potassium silicate, which also serves as a corrosion inhibitor. It also finds various uses in the fabrication of Shielded metal arc welding rods and cosmetics.

Silicon dioxide production

Potassium silicate may also be employed in glass recycling as an intermediate step in obtaining relatively pure and cheap SiO₂ for further processing (e.g. for fused glass).

Safety

Potassium silicate is strongly alkaline.