Silica sand is one of the most widely used materials in global industries ranging from water filtration, glass manufacturing, construction, foundry casting, sports turf, to oil & gas. Its natural purity, mechanical strength, and chemical stability make it an essential raw material across more than 50 industrial applications.
For water treatment professionals, silica sand serves as the backbone of multimedia filters, pressure sand filters, and municipal WTP units across the world. At Starke Aquacare Technologies, we produce and export high-purity silica sand filter media with precise grain size distribution, low iron content, and uniformity coefficient (UC) < 1.5, ensuring superior filtration performance.
This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know about silica sand, including its types, properties, benefits, applications, and why Starke is a global leader in supplying high-quality filtration sand.
What Is Silica Sand?
Silica sand also called quartz sand, silicon dioxide sand, or SiO₂ sand is naturally occurring sand rich in silicon dioxide (≥95% SiO₂). It is produced from quartz-rich rocks and processed into various mesh sizes depending on the industry requirement.
Key Features of Silica Sand
High SiO₂ content
Low Fe₂O₃ (iron oxide)
High melting point
Chemically inert
Excellent hardness (Mohs 7)
Consistent particle size
Abrasion resistance
Thermal stability
These characteristics make silica sand suitable for environments that demand strength, purity, and long-term performance.
Chemical & Physical Properties of Silica Sand
Silica sand is valued for its exceptional material characteristics. The most important properties include:
1. Chemical Composition
SiO₂ content: 95–99%
Fe₂O₃: <0.5% (for glass & filtration)
Chemically inert
Acid-resistant & alkali-resistant
2. Physical Properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Density: 2.65 g/cm³
Bulk density: 1.5–1.6 g/cm³ (varies by grade)
Particle shape: rounded, angular, sub-rounded
Grain size: 0.4–3.0 mm
Thermal stability: extremely high melting point
These attributes determine how silica sand performs in filtration, construction, glass production, and industrial processes.
Types of Silica Sand
1. High-Purity Silica Sand
Used primarily in:
Glass manufacturing
Semiconductor fabrication
Chemical production
2. Quartz Sand
Commonly used in:
Water filtration
Construction
Foundry applications
3. Industrial Silica Sand
Used in:
Oil & gas (proppant / frac sand)
Abrasives
Rubber & plastics fillers
4. Washed & Graded Silica Sand
Processed for:
WTPs
Swimming pools
Multimedia filters
Silica Sand Mesh Sizes & Grades
Different applications require different mesh sizes:
0.5–1.0 mm silica sand – drinking water filters
0.7–1.2 mm silica sand – pool filters & pressure sand filters
1.0–2.0 mm silica sand – industrial filtration
2–4 mm gravel – support bed layers
12/20 mesh silica sand – sports turf
16/30 mesh silica sand – sandblasting
30/60 mesh silica sand – coatings and abrasives
Starke manufactures all these sizes as per AWWA B100 and EN 12904 guidelines.
Applications of Silica Sand Across Industries
Silica sand is a multi-industry material. Below are its major applications:
1. Water Filtration & Treatment
Silica sand filter media is essential for:
Multigrade filters
Pressure sand filters
Sewage treatment plants (STP)
Effluent treatment plants (ETP)
RO pre-treatment
Swimming pools
Municipal water treatment
Why silica sand is ideal for filtration
Excellent turbidity reduction
High dirt-holding capacity
Consistent flow rates
High chemical stability
Precise grain size
UV & bacteria resistance
Common Filtration Grades
0.5–1.0 mm
0.7–1.2 mm
1.0–2.0 mm
2–4 mm support gravel
4–8 mm support gravel
At Starke, all filtration sand is:
Washed
Dried
Screened
Dust-free
Size-graded
2. Construction Industry
Silica sand is used in:
Concrete
Mortar
Plaster
Cement blends
Road construction
RCC structures
Asphalt mixtures
Paving blocks
Its mechanical strength and purity improve durability, compressive strength, and bonding.
3. Glass Manufacturing
High-purity silica sand is critical in:
Container glass
Flat glass
Solar glass
Fiberglass
Optical glass
Low iron content (<0.03%) improves transparency and color consistency.
4. Foundry & Metal Casting
Foundry-grade silica sand is used for:
Moulds
Cores
Casting iron, steel, and aluminum
Benefits:
High melting point
Thermal shock resistance
Consistent grain structure
Reusability
5. Oil & Gas – Frac Sand
Silica sand acts as a proppant in:
Hydraulic fracturing
Horizontal drilling
Characteristics needed:
High strength
Spherical grains
Low impurities
6. Abrasives & Surface Treatment
Used as:
Sandblasting sand
Abrasive blasting media
Grinding & polishing sand
Silica sand offers high hardness and durability for aggressive surface cleaning.
7. Ceramics & Refractories
Used in:
Porcelain
Tiles
Refractory bricks
Kiln lining
Benefits:
High thermal resistance
Chemical stability
Smooth finish
8. Industrial Fillers & Chemical Applications
Silica is widely used as:
Filler in coatings
Filler in paints & adhesives
Rubber compound additive
Resin extender
Its particle uniformity improves strength and durability.
9. Sports & Agriculture
Used for:
Turf infill
Sports ground leveling
Golf course bunkers
Soil conditioning
Horticulture media
The consistent grain size helps in drainage and stability.
Quality Specifications for Silica Sand Filter Media
A good filtration-grade silica sand must meet the following:
Chemical Requirements
SiO₂ ≥ 95%
Fe₂O₃ ≤ 0.5%
No soluble salts
Low clay and silt content
Physical Requirements
Grain size: 0.5–3 mm
UC (Uniformity Coefficient) < 1.5
No impurities
Washed & dried
Hardness: Mohs 7
Bulk density: 1500–1600 kg/m³
Starke performs:
Sieve analysis
Dust analysis
Moisture checks
Density testing
UC testing
All shipments come with COA, COC, and SGS/Intertek testing available on request.
Why Starke Is a Leading Global Supplier of Silica Sand
Starke Aquacare Technologies supplies filtration-grade silica sand to more than 42 countries, including:
Middle East
Africa
Southeast Asia
Europe
Australia
South America
What Makes Starke Silica Sand Superior?
✔ High-purity quartz-based silica
✔ Low iron content
✔ Strict size grading
✔ Dust-free & washed
✔ Multiple mesh sizes available
✔ SGS / Intertek Testing Support
✔ AWWA B100 & EN 12904 compliance
✔ Global export packaging (25 kg, 50 kg, 1-ton bags)
Industries We Supply
Drinking water plants
Desalination plants
Industrial filtration
OEM filter manufacturers
Construction companies
EPC contractors
Sports turf developers
Glass & foundry units
Conclusion
Silica sand is an essential raw material across industries especially water filtration, construction, glass manufacturing, metal casting, turf, abrasives, and oil & gas. Because of its high strength, purity, controlled grain size, and chemical stability, it delivers reliable performance in even the most demanding applications.
Starke Aquacare Technologies provides high-purity, washed, graded, and export-quality silica sand filter media to customers across the world. Whether you need 0.5–1.0 mm, 0.7–1.2 mm, 1–2 mm, or specialized support gravel, Starke ensures consistent quality, strict testing, and global logistics expertise.
If you’re looking for a trusted supplier of silica sand – Starke is your one-stop solution.