Calcium silicate

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Calcium silicate, otherwise known as slag, has a low bulk density and high physical water absorption. It is used as an anti-caking agent and an antacid. A white free-flowing powder derived from limestone and diatomaceous earth. Calcium silicate has no known adverse effects to health. It is used in roads, insulation and roof tiles.

1 High temperature insulation
2 Passive fire protection
3 Calcium silicate in the steel industry
4 See also

[edit] High temperature insulation

Industrial grade piping and equipment insulation is often fabricated from calcium silicate. Its fabrication is a routine part of the curriculum for insulation apprentices. Calcium silicate competes in these realms against rockwool as well as proprietary insulation solids, such as perlite mixtures and vermiculite bonded with sodium silicate.

[edit] Passive fire protection

One of the most successful materials in fireproofing in Europe is calcium silicate. The major manufacturer is Promat [1]. Where North Americans use spray fireproofing plasters, Europeans are more likely to use cladding made of calcium silicate. This does not mean that either method is particularly better than another, but, rather, plasters have better bounding in North America, whereas calcium silicate has much better bounding in Europe. The respective investments in bounding are so large and so difficult for either side to catch up with on the other side of the Atlantic ocean, that this is not likely to change anytime soon. Calcium silicate is easily damaged by water. Therefore, silicone treated sheets are available to fabricators to mitigate potential harm from high humidity or general presence of water. Fabricators and installers of calcium silicate in passive fire protection often also install firestops. Fire-tested compatibility between calcium silate fireproofing and many firestops has generally been established.