Amorphous light grey silicon oxide powder, obtained by filtering the dust

extracted from silicon and ferrosilicon production in an electric arc furnace.

MicroSIL is widely used in concrete and fibre cement industries. In addition
to its pozzolanic properties, MicroSIL is also very good filler due to its
particle size. These combined properties lead to an extended life
expectancy in corrosive environments (resistance to chlorides, acids and
sulphates) and improved strength.

Physical and chemical characteristics

Analysis* EN 13263-1,2 ASTM C1240 Typical Frequency

SiO2 (%) Min. 85 Min.85 90 - 97 weekly
Free Si (%) Max. 0.4 - 0.14 monthly
Free CaO (%) Max. 1.0 - <0.1** weekly
SO3 (%) Max. 2.0 - 0.25 weekly
Na2O eq (%) To report To report 0.5 weekly
Cl (%)
-
Max. 0.3 - 0.02 monthly
Loss on Ignition (%) Max. 4.0 Max. 6.0 2.0 weekly
Specific surface (BET) (m /g) 2
15 - 35 Min. 15 23 monthly
Pozzolanic Activity Index Min. 100 - 110 monthly
Normal curing (28d)
Pozzolanic Activity Index - Min. 105 115 weekly
Accelerated curing (7d)
Bulk Density (kg/m3):
Undensified - To report 350 - 650 daily
Densified 150 - 170

H2O (%) - Max. 3.0 0.3 weekly

> 45 m (%) - Max. 10.0 1.2 weekly
pH - - 7.5
Brightness - - 45
* % by weight of dry mass. ** Lower limit detection

Packaging Bulk in trucks or in big-bags. Other packaging on request.

Storage Dry storage. Avoid contact with moisture.
Handling Product totally amorphous. Material Safety Data Sheet available upon request

Applications Mortars, Concretes: High and Very High Performance Concretes, Shotcretes. Refractory castables. Fibre cements.
Origin France, South Africa, Spain and China.
Quality Control Complies with the ISO 9001, EN 13263-1,2 and/or ASTM C1240 norms.
Environment Follows the ISO 14001 norm.

Safety Follows the OHSAS 18001 norm.

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MicroSIL

MicroSIL properties
MicroSIL is used in concretes in order to improve mechanical properties and durability.

Pozzolanic reaction
MicroSIL reacts with lime during cement hydration to form additional calcium silicate
hydrates (C-S-H gel) which bonds the components together creating a dense matrix.

MicroSIL CSH

Ca(OH)2 CSH CSH

Cement

Its fineness and its pozzolanic properties High reactivity increases the homogeneity of
give a high reactivity with the Ca(OH)2 the mix, and decreases the porosity and
produced during cement hydration: the permeability of the concrete.
SiO2, 3CaO + H2g CSH + Ca(OH)2.
MicroSIL SiO2 + Ca(OH)2 g CSH
Filler effect
MicroSIL is 100 to 150 times smaller than a cement particle and can fill the interstitial voids.
Packing effect reduces strongly the concrete porosity and permeability.

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MicroSIL
Durability improvement
Strength
MicroSIL Concrete improves component packing and adhesion, which has a direct impact on the
mechanical properties, especially on Strength. The higher the MicroSIL Concrete addition to cement, the
higher the strength.

MicroSIL Strength
Type of concrete
Examples of use
(% cement weight) (MPa 28 d)
Standard 4 7% 25 - 50 Buildings Bridges Domestic applications
Domestic applications Tunnels Civil
Shotcrete 5 10% >25
engineering work repairs - Embankments

Construction Civil engineering works (viaduct, long

High Strength 8 -10% 50 - 100
bridges) - High rise buildings Offshore platforms

Civil engineering works - Offshore platforms requiring

Very High Strength 11 15% 100 - 150
higher performance - Nuclear waste containers
Civil engineering works Innovative applications Architectonic
Ultra High Strength 20 - 30% > 150 construction Nuclear waste containers

Porosity / Permeability / Resistance to corrosion:

Addition of MicroSIL reduces porosity by
decreasing pore size.
Po r o s i t y a n d p e r m e a b i l i t y r e d u c t i o n s i n h i b i t
the penetration of aggressive agents (for Sulfo - resistant
Concrete
i n s tance acids, chlorides, sulphates, carbon dioxide, Latex Modified
and sea water). The use of MicroSIL is beneficial to Concrete
prevent concrete from corrosion in dicult MicroSIL
environments: harbours, airports, industrial chemical Concrete
areas, coastal buildings are common examples.

CEM I
Alkali reaction 10% MicroSIL
20% MicroSIL
MicroSIL protects the concrete against the alkali
reaction. Its fine and amorphous particles react with
cement alkalies and reduces their content
in the concrete before hardening.

Freeze-Thaw
By reducing concrete permeability, MicroSIL

reduces water m o v e m e n t s a n d i n t e r n a l p r e s s u r e
MicroSIL

s l e a d i n g to irreversible degradation. Concrete without

MicroSIL
MicroSIL Concrete

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MicroSIL
Combination of the pozzolanic and filler effects of MicroSIL

Additionnal Calcium
Reaction with lime Silicate Hydrates (CSH)

Pozzolanic reaction

MicroSIL
Improved cohesion Strength improvement

Filler eEffect

Permeability Corrosion resistance

Void filling
reduction (ie. Chlorides, acids & sulphates)

Resistance
Porosity reduction Frost/Thaw cycles
(water adsorption reduction)

MicroSIL benefits
Fresh concrete
Reduction of Improvement of
Segregation Adhesion
Hydration heat Cohesion
Exudation

Hardened concrete
Strength and mechanical resistance improvement
Durability

Significant improvement in terms of Significant reduction of

Chemical resistance Porosity and permeability
Abrasion resistance, sulphates/ chlorides resistance Carbonation
Protection of metallic armature in concrete paste Alkali-reaction
Freeze/thaw cycles resistance

Silica Middle East

P.O. Box: 14213, N.R. Lootah Bldg-2,
Damascus Rd, Al Qusais, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Contact our sales representative for technical information and support:
Tel: +971 4 250 84 73 / Fax: +971 4 250 84 74
E-mail: sales@silicame.com
Website: www.silicame.com

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