Silicon

Silicon is a chemical element in group IV of the main subgroup with atomic number 14. Silicon is a non-metal. A simple substance in crystalline form has a dark gray, slightly shiny color, and in amorphous form it is a brown powder .

Most often, silicon occurs in nature in the form of silica compounds based on silicon dioxide (IV) SiO ₂ (about 12% of the mass of the earth's crust). The main minerals and rocks that form silicon dioxide are sand (river and quartz), quartz and quartzites, flint, feldspars. The second most common group of silicon compounds in nature are silicates and aluminosilicates .

Application area

Silicon is used in metallurgy as an additive to steel, in the production of alloys, in electronics for the manufacture of semiconductor devices. When quartz sand is fused with coal at high temperatures, silicon carbide SiC is formed, which is second only to diamond in hardness. Therefore, it is used for sharpening cutters of metal-cutting machines and polishing precious stones .

Molten quartz is used to make a variety of quartz chemical glassware that can withstand high temperatures and will not crack when quenched .

Silicon monoxide is used to create insulating and protective layers in semiconductor devices .

Silicon compounds serve as the basis for the production of glass, ceramics, concrete products and bricks .

Silicone polymer compounds, or silicones, have good water repellent properties and are used as moisture barrier materials. In addition, they are used as industrial oils, lubricants and insulators, as well as oil varnishes, paints and varnishes .