What technical problem does a fine sieving net solve? Eliminating Agglomeration in Calcium Silicate Hydrate

The fine sieving net specifically addresses the issue of particle agglomeration. Following the hydrothermal synthesis and drying stages, calcium silicate hydrate products often form unwanted clusters or "clumps." The sieving process removes these large-diameter agglomerates to restore the powder’s uniform looseness and consistency.

By effectively removing post-drying agglomerates, fine sieving guarantees the material uniformity required for high-performance refractory insulation. This consistency is the key driver behind maintaining lightweight properties and ensuring low thermal conductivity.

The Mechanics of Particle Control

Counteracting Drying Effects

The production of calcium silicate hydrate involves hydrothermal synthesis followed by a drying phase. While necessary, this process naturally causes minor particle agglomeration.

Individual particles tend to stick together, forming larger, irregular clusters that deviate from the desired particle size.

The Function of the Aperture

To correct this, a fine sieving net is employed as a physical filter. A specific aperture size, such as 80 μm, is typically used to identify and separate these clusters.

This ensures that only particles meeting the strict size criteria pass through to the final product stage.

Why Powder Consistency Matters

Ensuring Material Looseness

The immediate technical goal of sieving is to maintain excellent looseness in the powder.

Without this step, the bulk material would suffer from inconsistent packing densities. This flowability and uniformity are prerequisites for downstream manufacturing processes.

Optimizing for Insulation Performance

The ultimate value of this process lies in the application: manufacturing lightweight refractory insulation.

To achieve low thermal conductivity, the material structure must be homogenous. Large agglomerates disrupt the internal structure of the insulation, potentially compromising its thermal efficiency and lightweight nature.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

The Risk of Skipping Sieving

It is a mistake to view sieving as merely an aesthetic step.

Omitting this process allows large-diameter agglomerates to remain in the final mixture. This inclusion leads to density variations that can create structural weaknesses or thermal inefficiencies in the final insulation board.

Balancing Throughput and Quality

Using the correct aperture size (e.g., 80 μm) is a critical technical specification.

A net that is too coarse will fail to catch the agglomerates formed during drying. Conversely, a net that is too fine may unnecessarily restrict throughput without adding value to the refractory performance.

Making the Right Choice for Your Goal

To maximize the quality of your calcium silicate hydrate products, consider the following technical priorities:

• If your primary focus is thermal efficiency: Strictly adhere to fine aperture specifications (like 80 μm) to ensure the homogeneity required for the lowest possible thermal conductivity.
• If your primary focus is manufacturing consistency: Implement sieving immediately after drying to prevent agglomerates from affecting the packing density and "looseness" of the raw powder.

Precise particle size control is the defining step that transforms a synthesized compound into a reliable, high-performance insulator.

Summary Table:

Parameter	Specification/Feature	Technical Impact
Primary Problem	Particle Agglomeration	Prevents irregular clusters and clumping post-drying
Target Aperture	80 μm (Typical)	Filters large clusters to ensure strict size compliance
Material Goal	High Uniformity	Maintains powder looseness and consistent packing density
End Benefit	Refractory Performance	Ensures low thermal conductivity and lightweight properties

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References

1. R. Šiaučiūnas, Edita Prichockiene. Synthesis of High Crystallinity 1.13 nm Tobermorite and Xonotlite from Natural Rocks, Their Properties and Application for Heat-Resistant Products. DOI: 10.3390/ma15103474

This article is also based on technical information from Kintek Solution Knowledge Base .