We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Chemistry

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Silica Fiber?

By Liz Thomas
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 44,482
Share

Silica fiber is a long thin thread made of sodium silicate. It has many aerospace, electrical and automotive applications due to its high heat resistance. These threads are also used as optical fibers for long distance telecommunications, sensors and fiber optic medical instruments.

The thread or strand is actually made of sodium silicate, also known as water glass. In its pure form, it appears as a white powder. It is very stable and through a process of melting and brushing is formed into a series of thin strings or fibers.

Silica fiber offers heat protection and is commonly used in compensators and packing. Compensators refer to mechanisms that counterbalance motion, such as muzzle brakes on firearms and piston pump pressure control. The silica product is also a substitution for asbestos packing. The strands do not react with most mineral and organic acids at high temperatures and have a high resistance to heat shock.

Material is woven of silica fiber or the threads are incorporated into other materials, typically used as insulation. Silica material is then used in electrical, automotive and aerospace applications. Protection made of this material can withstand temperatures of up to 1832 degrees Fahrenheit (1000 C) for very long periods or even higher temperatures of 3092 F (1700 C) for short periods of time.

The heat protection is so effective that silica fiber blankets are used on space shuttles as part of the thermal protection system. The threads are part of the advanced flexible reusable surface insulation. Use of silica fibers reduces the weight of the insulation and can deal with the heat load encountered upon re-entry.

Optical filaments are also made of silica fibers. The optical filament transmits light and is very thin, about as wide as a single strand of human hair. These filaments form the basics of fiber optics, which allow for transmission of data at higher data rates and over very long distances. These items are used frequently in telecommunications.

Other applications of fiber optics include imaging for surgical procedures, and as sensors. One surgical application is an endoscope. This tool is made up of bundles of silica fibers and is used to inspect the interior of the body.

The strand can be used to connect a sensor to a measurement system. In some cases the silica fiber is the sensor. No electrical power is necessary to run sensors made of this material. Due to the small size it can fit into hard to reach locations or those that are hazardous to humans.

Share
All The Science is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.allthescience.org/what-is-silica-fiber.htm
Copy this link
All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.