Page 213 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

CALCIUM SILICATE

Calcium silicate. Red atoms
are oxygen; turquoise atom is
calcium; orange atom is silicon.
Gray stick is a double bond.
PUBLISHERS RESOURCE GROUP

natural sources. Nonetheless, the compound is usually pre-
pared synthetically in order to ensure that is has the purity
required for most commercial applications. The usual method
of preparation involves the addition of lime (calcium oxide;
CaO) to diatomaceous earth, a material consisting of the
fossil remains of single-celled algae known as diatoms. The
lime provides the calcium and the diatomaceous earth pro-
vides the silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) required to make calcium
silicate.

COMMON USES AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS
The calcium silicates have a number of uses in industry.
Among the most important applications are their uses in
building materials, such as some types of glass and cement
(especially Portland cement), bricks and tiles for roofs, fire-
proof ceilings, and building boards. The compound is also

162 CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS