Silicate bonding of inorganic materials

The room-temperature setting process in compacts of various silicate and non-silicate mineral particles bonded with sodium silicate was found to be markedly accelerated by treatment with the acidic gases CO2, S02 and H2S, but was unaffected by neutral or alkaline gases. Strength development increases with gassing time up to a maximum value which depends on the Si to Na ratio of the sodium silicate, the nature of the mineral matter and the gas used. Longer gassing times are needed to achieve ultimate strength with sodium silicates of higher pH and gases of lower solubility in water. The chemical species formed by reaction of CO2, S02 and H2S with sodium silicate were investigated by IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and 29-Si solid state NMR spectroscopy.