Comparing E550 - Sodium silicate vs E552 - Calcium silicate
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Found in 12 products
Found in 1,368 products
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Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
What is sodium silicate used for?
In foods, E550 sodium silicate is used mainly as an anti-caking/flow agent in dry powders; outside food it serves as a binder/adhesive and deflocculant in detergents, paper, cement, and ceramics.
Is sodium silicate toxic?
At the low levels used in foods it isn’t considered toxic by major regulators, but concentrated solutions are strongly alkaline and can irritate or burn skin, eyes, and the GI tract.
How to use sodium silicate in pottery?
Use it as a deflocculant by adding very small amounts (often with a little soda ash) to clay slip until the desired specific gravity/viscosity is reached; it can also be brushed on and the surface stretched to create crackle textures—wear gloves and avoid over‑addition.
Is sodium silicate safe for skin?
Undiluted or moderately concentrated sodium silicate is not skin‑safe because it’s caustic; only very dilute formulations (as in some cosmetics) are used on skin, and even then may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
How to remove calcium silicate from pool?
Calcium silicate scale is very hard and relatively acid‑resistant, so it’s typically removed by mechanical means (pumice/scale pads or bead blasting) after lowering pH and using a sequestering agent; an acid spot test that doesn’t fizz helps confirm it’s silicate, not carbonate. Prevent recurrence by keeping water balanced (pH/alkalinity/calcium) and using a sequestrant.
What is calcium silicate board?
A rigid, noncombustible building/insulation board made from calcium silicate hydrates, valued for fire resistance, moisture tolerance, and dimensional stability. It’s used for fireproofing, lining stoves/flues, and thermal or acoustic insulation.
How to cut calcium silicate board?
Score‑and‑snap works for thin sheets; thicker boards are cut with a circular saw using a carbide or diamond blade at a slow feed rate. Control dust with wet cutting or HEPA extraction and wear PPE (respirator, eye protection, gloves).
Is calcium silicate bad for you?
As a food additive (E552) used mainly as an anticaking agent, it’s considered safe at permitted levels (JECFA ADI “not specified”; FDA GRAS). The main concern is inhaling fine dust in occupational settings, which can irritate the respiratory tract.
Is calcium silicate vegan?
Yes—it's a mineral/synthetic ingredient with no animal-derived components, so E552 is generally suitable for vegans.