Investigation into the physical and chemical characteristics of silica sand for glass production: An analysis of Dilichim and Makera

Abstract

Silica sand is the primary component of all types of standard and specialty glass.  It provides the SiO₂ component of glass formulation which is one of the key raw materials used for glass manufacturing. The suitability of such silica sand deposits of Dilichim and Makera in the Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria, were examined based on the chemical and physical characteristics. The silica sand samples were gathered along the riverbanks. A specific gravity testing machine was used to examine the physical properties, such as particle size, grain morphology, and specific gravity. While an x-ray florescence spectrometer (XRFS) was used for the chemical analysis and an electronic microscope was also used to reveal the shape of the samples. The outcomes were contrasted with the industry standards for glassmaking which both the samples fall within the permissible ranges for glassmaking. Dilichim was found to have the highest percentage of silica concentration with a value of 79.81.00 % followed with that of Makera with a value of 76.50%, also it was found that both the samples had a high iron oxide level; Makera had the highest value at 1.30% and Dilichim had the lowest at 1.22%. Nevertheless, all of the samples had iron contents greater than 1%, which restricted their use to the production of amber and colored glass. The physical characteristics, including the angular grain shape and specific gravity of 2.50 for both samples, were determined to meet the standard for glassmaking. Therefore, the silica sand samples investigated are adequate for glass manufacturing and therefore, should be utilized.