1. Introduction
Quartz is not only part of the composition of solid rock, but also can form gorgeous crystals. Moreover, it is one of the core raw materials for making chips. Quartz is composed of 2 oxygens + 1 silicon, which is one of the simplest combinations of minerals. In the earth’s crust, the proportion of quartz minerals is as high as 12.6%, and it is one of the main rock-forming minerals. The various forms of quartz are derived from different formation conditions. For example, although crystallized from acidic volcanic rocks, if crystallization temperature is different, the forms of quartz are different, this is how α-quartz, β-quartz, and tridymite are obtained. The general quartz we usually refer to is actually α-quartz. Below we will give brief analysis of main types and application in emerging industries of quartz.
Schematic diagram of crystal structure of silicon dioxide
2. Main types of quartz minerals in China
Natural crystal
Natural crystal is one type of quartz mineral of colorless and transparent, the main component of it is silicon dioxide. Crystals mostly grow in caves, rock cracks, joints and faults. The growth condition of natural crystal is harsh, it must meet four conditions at the same time: sufficient growth space, silica-rich hydrothermal, certain temperature and pressure, and sufficient growth time.
Quartz sandstone
Quartz sandstone is one type of consolidated sandy rock. The content of quartz and siliceous debris is generally more than 95%, and the accessory minerals are mostly clay minerals, such as: feldspar, kaolinite and montmorillonite. Natural quartz sandstone has very low content of heavy minerals, and cementing material is generally siliceous, mainly opal and chalcedony.
Quartzite
Quartzite is one type of metamorphic rock formed by regional metamorphism or thermal contact metamorphism of quartz sandstone or other siliceous rocks. Besides minerals of feldspar, mica and clay, quartz associated minerals also include trace amounts of tourmaline, hematite and zircon. Compared with quartz sandstone, the ore of quartzite is denser and harder.
Vein Quartz
The formation of vein quartz is mainly related to magmatic hydrothermal activity. It is with dense block structure. Vein quartz’s mineral composition is single, the content of SiO2 is generally above 99%. Vein quartz deposits are generally small in scale, with steep occurrence, and in irregular vein shapes.
As quartz is widely used in strategic emerging industries, such as electronic information, new materials and new energy, the industrial application of vein quartz featuring high purity of SiO2 is attracting great attention.
3. The broad prospects of quartz in future industry
China is a major producer and consumer of high-purity quartz. In the future, high-purity quartz sand will have broad application prospects in strategic emerging industries. These industries include: optical fiber and cable, electronic communication, semiconductor, LED lighting manufacturing and packaging, software chip, and solar energy etc. It is estimated that the growth rate for demand of high-purity quartz will be about 10.0%~14.0% from 2019 to 2030.
Semiconductor
Semiconductor industry is the foundation of global information industry. The widespread use of semiconductor products has promoted the advent of the information and intelligent era. The most commercially valuable element of semiconductor is silicon and some of its binary compounds, such as silicon carbide. In this field, high-purity quartz is widely used to produce higher-performance silicon and other compound materials, and these materials have broad application prospects in semiconductor field.
Optical fiber
The diameter of optical fiber is less than 8 mm. Digital data is transmitted through optical fiber in the form of light. The optical cable composed of optical fibers plays an irreplaceable role in field of modern communication transmission. Quartz glass is the main material used to make optical fibers.
In addition, high-purity quartz also has optical property. It can form polarized laser beam, and be used to make fiber laser with prism, filter and timing device.
Solar cells
In modern society that advocates green energy, people have a great demand for solar cells, and the production of solar cells requires a large amount of high-purity quartz. High-purity quartz sand has high temperature resistance and good thermal stability, it is widely used in the manufacture of quartz crucible for single crystal silicon, so the demand for high-purity quartz in photovoltaic industry is also very huge.
Electric light source industry
In electric light source industry, quartz can be used to produce ultraviolet tubes, high-purity quartz tubes, and transparent tube lamps, and it is widely used in lighting and special light source industries, such as halogen lamps, HID lamps, sterilization equipment, and LED lamps used in semiconductor industry.
4. Summary
China has abundant quartz resources and quartz in China has 4 main mineral types. Meanwhile, quartz occupies a very important position in modern industry and technology, due to its unique physical and chemical properties and a wide range of applications, especially the application in strategic emerging fields.
In practical applications, quartz usually needs to be ground, classified or even modified, so that the quartz can better play its role. Grinding and classifying can not only improves the uniformity of particles, but also significantly improves physical and chemical properties of quartz. In addition, surface modification such as surface coating and surface chemical modification can significantly enhance the industrial value and added value of quartz.
Qingdao Epic Powder Machinery Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer specializing in the production of powder processing equipment. The ball mill, air classifier and modifier from Qingdao Epic can process quartz with good performance.
Its products include:
– Mill: ball mill, mill, jet mill, air classifier mill(ACM), vibration mill and impact mill etc.
– Classifier: four series of air classifiers: HTS, ITC, MBS and CTC.
– Modifier: pin-mill modifier, turbo-mill modifier and three-roller modifier etc.
– Auxiliary equipment: control cabinet, dust collector and bucket elevator etc.
– Customers can also customize equipment according to their needs, one customer one design.
If you are interested in ball mill and air classifier or other products from Qingdao Epic, please contact staff directly, they are always at your service.
Below are photos from Qingdao Epic for your reference.
