Kieselgur

Kieselgur also known as Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 3 μm to more than 1 mm, but typically 10 to 200 μm. Depending on the granularity, this powder can have an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and has a low density as a result of its high porosity.

Origin

Kieselgur is made of the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans.

Extraction

Today, Kieselgur is mined and processed to produce a wide variety of products with different functions. The mining and processing of Kieselgur involves mining from open pit mines or quarries, followed by a series of processing steps including crushing, drying, milling, and classification to produce different grades of the material.

Uses

Kieselgur has a wide range of uses due to its unique physical and chemical properties. It is used as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as a thermal insulator, as a filler in rubber and plastic products, as a filter medium, and as a mild abrasive in polishes and cleaners. In addition, it is also used in cat litter, as a stabilizing component of dynamite, and in various other industrial applications.

Health and Safety

While Kieselgur is generally considered safe for use in various applications, it can pose health risks if inhaled or ingested in large quantities. Long-term exposure to the dust can lead to silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease. Therefore, appropriate safety measures should be taken when handling this material.

See Also

• Silica
• Diatoms
• Abrasive
• Insecticide
• Thermal insulator