Difference between revisions of "Diatomaceous earth"

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[[File:Diatomiteemr1.jpg|thumb|Diatomites]]
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[[File:diatomsmskes.jpg|thumb|Micrograph of diatoms]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 +
[[File:diatomlargekes.jpg|thumb|Micrograph of diatom]]
 +
An absorbent powder composed of the siliceous skeletons of microscopic water plants called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth is composed of 88% [[silica]]. The soft, whitish material is used as an inert [[pigment]] or [[filler]] in [[paper]], [[paint]], [[brick]], [[floor tile|floor tiles]], [[ceramic|ceramics]], [[linoleum]], [[plastic]], [[soap]], [[detergent]], and a large number of other products. It reduces [[gloss]], acts as a suspending agent, and increases viscosity. It absorbs dyes well and has been used as a base for lake colors. Diatomaceous earth is also used as an [[absorbent]], and [[poultice]] since it can absorb up to 4 times its weight of water. Because of its water-absorption capabilities, it is used as a desiccating [[insecticide]] and is often mixed in formulations with [[pyrethrin]]s. Diatomaceous earth has also been used as a decolorizer and filtration aid for purifying [[oil|oils]], [[fat|fats]], and [[wax|waxes]]. Diatomaceous earth has replaced [[asbestos]] as an [[insulation]] for boilers, blast furnaces, because it is more resistant to shrinkage and does not fail at high temperatures. Other uses include [[sound insulation]] and as a very mild [[abrasive]] in metal [[polish (material)|polishes]] and toothpaste.
  
An absorbent powder composed of the siliceous skeletons of microscopic water plants called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth is composed of 88% [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=silica silica]. The soft, whitish material is used as an inert [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=pigment pigment] or [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=filler filler] in [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=paper paper], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=paint paint], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=brick brick], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=floor tile floor tiles], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=ceramic ceramics], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=linoleum linoleum], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=plastic plastic], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=soap soap], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=detergent detergent], and a large number of other products. It reduces [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=gloss gloss], acts as a suspending agent, and increases viscosity. It absorbs dyes well and has been used as a base for lake colors. Diatomaceous earth is also used as an [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=absorbent absorbent], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=poultice poultice] since it can absorb up to 4 times its weight of water. Because of its water-absorption capabilities, it is used as a desiccating [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=insecticide insecticide] and is often mixed in formulations with [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=pyrethrins pyrethrins]. Diatomaceous earth has also been used as a decolorizer and filtration aid for purifying [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=oil oils], [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=fat fats], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=wax waxes]. Diatomaceous earth has replaced [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=asbestos asbestos] as an [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=insulation insulation] for boilers, blast furnaces, because it is more resistant to shrinkage and does not fail at high temperatures. Other uses include [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=sound insulation sound insulation] and as a very mild [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=abrasive abrasive] in metal [http://cameo.mfa.org/fullrecord.asp?name=polish (material) polishes] and toothpaste.
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[[File:Diatomiteemr1.jpg|thumb|Micrograph of Diatomites]]
  
[[File:diatomlargekes.jpg|thumb|Diatomaceous earth]]
 
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
diatomite; poudre de diatomes (Fr.); tierra de diatomeas (Esp.); diatomito (Port.); Diatomeenerde, Kieselgur (Deut.); diatomenaarde (Ned.); Celite [Celite]; infusorial earth; kieselguhr; fossil flour; tripolite; Sil-O-Cel; diatomaceous silica; siliceous earth; Super-Cel; Kenite; Diactiv; Primisil;
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diatomite; poudre de diatomées (Fr.); tierra de diatomeas (Esp.); diatomito (Port.); Diatomeenerde, Kieselgur (Deut.); diatomeënaarde (Ned.); Celite® [Celite]; infusorial earth; kieselguhr; fossil flour; tripolite; Sil-O-Cel; diatomaceous silica; siliceous earth; Super-Cel; Kenite®; Diactiv®; Primisil®;
  
== Other Properties ==
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== Risks ==
 +
 
 +
* Inhalation of dust may cause silicosis.
 +
* Noncombustible.
 +
* Diatomaceous Earth: [https://www.diatomaceousearth.com/blogs/learning-center/diatomaceous-earth-safety-data-sheet SDS]
 +
==Physical and Chemical Properties==
  
 
Soluble in alkalis. Insoluble in acids except HF.
 
Soluble in alkalis. Insoluble in acids except HF.
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|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Density
 
! scope="row"| Density
| 1.9-2.35
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| 1.9-2.35 g/ml
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
 
! scope="row"| Refractive Index
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|}
 
|}
  
== Hazards and Safety ==
 
 
Inhalation of dust may cause silicosis. Noncombustible.
 
 
[[File:diatomsmskes.jpg|thumb|Diatomaceous earth]]
 
 
== Comparisons ==
 
== Comparisons ==
  
 
[[media:download_file_196.pdf|Properties of Common Abrasives]]
 
[[media:download_file_196.pdf|Properties of Common Abrasives]]
  
 
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==Resources and Citations==
 
 
== Authority ==
 
  
 
* ''The Dictionary of Paper'', American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980
 
* ''The Dictionary of Paper'', American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980
  
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966  Comment: density 2.31 and ref.index.1.435
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* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966  Comment: density 2.31 and ref.index.1.435
  
* Ralph Mayer, Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
+
* Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
  
* Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, ''Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology'', U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
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* Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, ''Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology'', U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
  
* G.S.Brady, G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p.266
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p.266
  
* Reed Kay, Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
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* Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
  
* Michael McCann, Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
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* Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  
* J. Dawson, J. Dawson, 'Solving Museum Insect Problems: Chemical Control' , ''CCI Technical Bulletin'', Candian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, No. 15
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* J. Dawson, 'Solving Museum Insect Problems: Chemical Control' , ''CCI Technical Bulletin'', Candian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, No. 15
  
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  
* Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
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* Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Materials database]]
 
[[Category:Materials database]]

Latest revision as of 09:06, 21 July 2022

Micrograph of diatoms

Description

Micrograph of diatom

An absorbent powder composed of the siliceous skeletons of microscopic water plants called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth is composed of 88% Silica. The soft, whitish material is used as an inert Pigment or Filler in Paper, Paint, Brick, floor tiles, ceramics, Linoleum, Plastic, Soap, Detergent, and a large number of other products. It reduces Gloss, acts as a suspending agent, and increases viscosity. It absorbs dyes well and has been used as a base for lake colors. Diatomaceous earth is also used as an Absorbent, and Poultice since it can absorb up to 4 times its weight of water. Because of its water-absorption capabilities, it is used as a desiccating Insecticide and is often mixed in formulations with pyrethrins. Diatomaceous earth has also been used as a decolorizer and filtration aid for purifying oils, fats, and waxes. Diatomaceous earth has replaced Asbestos as an Insulation for boilers, blast furnaces, because it is more resistant to shrinkage and does not fail at high temperatures. Other uses include Sound insulation and as a very mild Abrasive in metal polishes and toothpaste.

Micrograph of Diatomites

Synonyms and Related Terms

diatomite; poudre de diatomées (Fr.); tierra de diatomeas (Esp.); diatomito (Port.); Diatomeenerde, Kieselgur (Deut.); diatomeënaarde (Ned.); Celite® [Celite]; infusorial earth; kieselguhr; fossil flour; tripolite; Sil-O-Cel; diatomaceous silica; siliceous earth; Super-Cel; Kenite®; Diactiv®; Primisil®;

Risks

  • Inhalation of dust may cause silicosis.
  • Noncombustible.
  • Diatomaceous Earth: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in alkalis. Insoluble in acids except HF.

Density 1.9-2.35 g/ml
Refractive Index 1.435

Comparisons

Properties of Common Abrasives

Resources and Citations

  • The Dictionary of Paper, American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980
  • R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966 Comment: density 2.31 and ref.index.1.435
  • Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
  • Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p.266
  • Reed Kay, The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
  • Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  • J. Dawson, 'Solving Museum Insect Problems: Chemical Control' , CCI Technical Bulletin, Candian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, No. 15
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976