Calcium metasilicate

Calcium Metasilicate is a naturally occurring inorganic compound with the chemical formula CaSiO3. It is also known as wollastonite, named after the British chemist and mineralogist William Hyde Wollaston.

Chemical Properties

Calcium metasilicate is a white to yellowish-brown crystalline solid. It is insoluble in water but soluble in acids. When heated, it decomposes to produce calcium oxide and silicon dioxide.

Occurrence and Production

Calcium metasilicate occurs naturally as the mineral wollastonite, which is found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is mined in several countries, including the United States, Mexico, and China.

In the laboratory, calcium metasilicate can be synthesized by the reaction of calcium carbonate with silicon dioxide at high temperatures.

Uses

Calcium metasilicate has a variety of uses in different industries. In the ceramics industry, it is used as a flux to reduce the firing temperature of ceramics. It is also used in the production of glass, paint, and plastics.

In the field of medicine, calcium metasilicate is used in the production of bioactive ceramics, which are used in bone grafts and dental implants.

Health and Safety

Exposure to calcium metasilicate dust can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Long-term exposure can lead to the development of silicosis, a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust.

See Also

• Calcium carbonate
• Silicon dioxide
• Wollastonite