Sodium Silicate

1Identification

Name

Sodium Silicate

IUPAC name

disodium;dioxido(oxo)silane

CAS number

1344-09-8

EC number

229-912-9

Molecular formula

Na2O3Si

Molecular weight

122.063 g/mol

InChIKey

NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

[O-][Si](=O)[O-].[Na+].[Na+]

PubChem CID

23266

Synonyms

SODIUM SILICATE, Waterglass, Sodium siliconate, Sodium sesquisilicate, Sodium silicate glass, Sodium water glass, Britesil, Carsil, Dryseq, Sikalon, Silican, Soluble glass, Silicic acid, sodium salt, Agrosil S

Recommended uses

• CIR ingredient: Sodium Metasilicate
  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
• CIR ingredient: Sodium Silicate
  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
• Used in catalysts, silica gels, detergents, bleaching paper and textiles, ore treatments, foundry molds, and drilling fluids; Also used to waterproof cement and as a fireproofing agent; [Hawley] Used as a starting material for zeolites and silica catalysts, as an adhesive and binder, corrosion inhibitor, penetrating sealant, in cements, drilling fluids, for fireproofing wood, paper, and fabric, as a detergent booster, in waste water treatment, and as shell coating to preserve eggs; [Merck Index] Used as a flocculant to separate solid from liquid phases in aqueous suspensions;
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Binder Other Lubricating agent Anti-caking agent Chemical reaction regulator Plating agent pH regulating agent Bleaching agent Processing aids not otherwise specified Surfactant (surface active agent) Stabilizing agent Sealant (barrier) Viscosity modifiers Emulsifier Catalyst Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Filler Corrosion inhibitor Absorbent Flux agent Cleaning agent Adsorbent Etching agent Adhesion/cohesion promoter Pigment Chelating agent Intermediate Processing aids, specific to petroleum production Flotation agent
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Bleaching agent pH regulating agent Surfactant (surface active agent) Other Binder Adsorbent Processing aids, specific to petroleum production Chelating agent Pigment Adhesion/cohesion promoter Filler Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Corrosion inhibitor Catalyst Emulsifier Viscosity modifiers Sealant (barrier) Cleaning agent Flame retardant Flux agent
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Use categories: EPA Safer Chemical Functional Use Classes -> Processing Aids and Additives · Safer Chemical Classes -> Green circle - The chemical has been verified to be of low concern · Cosmetics -> Anticorrosive; Buffering; Chelating · Plastics -> Polymer Type -> N.a.

Description

• Sodium silicate appears as a powdered or flaked solid substance. Strong irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion. Concentrated aqueous solutions used as a glue.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Sodium silicate is an inorganic sodium salt having silicate as the counterion. It contains a silicate ion.
  ChEBI
• The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety concluded that the following 24 silicate ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating, with the exception that the available data are insufficient to make a determination of safety for the use of naturally-sourced (i.e., mined) silicate ingredients in products that may be incidentally inhaled: Sodium Metasilicate.
  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Danger

Pictograms

GHS05, GHS07

Classification source

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Precautionary statements

Other reported classifications

6 classification records exist across sources. Differences usually reflect purity, physical form or impurities.

Health hazards

• If large doses are ingested, some irritation of mucous membranes may occur, similar to that caused by caustic soda solution. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]: Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. For electric vehicles or equipment, ERG Guide 147 (lithium ion or sodium ion batteries) or ERG Guide 138 (sodium batteries) should also be consulted. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Not combustible.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• General term for a group of compounds with varying quantities of sodium oxide (Na2-O) and silica (Si2-O); Aqueous solutions are characterized by the weight ratio of silica to sodium oxide, usually 1.6 to 3.8; Solutions are strongly alkaline and corrosive; [Merck Index] A strong skin and eye irritant; Toxic by ingestion at high doses; [CAMEO] A medium strong base in solution; 25-50% Aqueous solution: Aerosol is a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] Corrosive to rabbit skin (when tested at 53.5% molar ratio of 1.6 and 82% molar ratio of 2.4); Sodium metasilicate was not sensitizing in a local lymph node assay study of mice;
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; [ICSC] A strong skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant; [CAMEO] Causes burns; A respiratory tract irritant; [IUCLID] In high-dose, 4-week feeding studies of dogs and rats, polydipsia and polyuria were observed; Dogs but not rats had renal lesions; Oral LD50 (rat) = 1280 mg/kg (10% solution); [HSDB] pH of 1% solution = 13; [IPCS-PIMs] No reports on reproductive effects; [REPROTOX] Corrosive to moistened rabbit skin; Not sensitizing in a local lymph node assay study of mice;
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• INGESTION (large doses): give water or milk; do NOT induce vomiting. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Symptoms of exposure

• Cough. Sore throat.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Redness. Pain.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Diarrhoea. Nausea. Vomiting.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

5Fire-fighting measures

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 5 of the supplier's SDS.

6Accidental release measures

Isolation and evacuation

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]: IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary. FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Spill cleanup

• Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. Personal protection: self-contained breathing apparatus.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

7Handling and storage

• Separated from strong acids, aluminium and zinc.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

No occupational exposure limits found in our sources.

Personal protective equipment

• Goggles or face shield. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• RUBBER OR POLYETHYLENE GLOVES; SAFETY GLASSES OR OTHER FORM OF EYE PROTECTION; SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS OR ONE THAT ABSORBS ORGANIC VAPORS. /ETHYL SILICATE/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• SODIUM SILICATE contains a variable amount of water of hydration. Rate of dissolution depends on the degree of hydration, the amount of water that is used as solvent (less soluble in large amounts of water) and the temperature (higher temperature means quicker solution). Aqueous solutions react as bases. Reacts violently with fluorine [Lewis.]
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Deliquescent. Water soluble [Handbook of Chemistry and Physics].
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• Sodium metasilicate ignites in fluorine.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Sodium silicate (water glass) burns in fluorine.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Chemical stability

• HYDROLYZED BY HOT WATER
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Short-term exposure effects

• The aerosol is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

12Ecological information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 12 of the supplier's SDS.

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

UN number: UN 1346

Shipping name

• UN 1346; Silicon powder, amorphous
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• IMO 4.1; Silicon powder, amorphous
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

DOT label

• Corrosive
  CAMEO Chemicals

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• As a general rule, pesticide chemicals other than ..., sodium metasilicate (not to exceed 4% by weight in aqueous solution)... are not for the purposes of section 408(a) of the Act generally recognized as safe.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Substance added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 23266 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.