Chapter 1: What is Silica Fume?
Silica fume is a very fine amorphous silicate produced in electric arc furnaces as a by-product of the production of elemental silicon or silicon-containing alloys. It is usually a gray powder similar to Portland cement or some fly ash.
Chapter 2: Chemical Properties and Reactions of Silica Fume in Concrete
The chemical and physical properties of silica fume affect the properties of concrete. These properties are described in this chapter, along with a discussion of how silica fume improves the performance of fresh and hardened concrete.
Chapter 3: Why Use Silica Fume in Concrete?
The use of silica fume in concrete can significantly improve the properties of both fresh and hardened concrete. In recent years, the benefits of using silica fume to improve the sustainability of concrete have been increasingly recognized.
Chapter 4: ACI Guidance, Standard Specifications, and Specifying Silica Fume Concrete
This chapter reviews ACI, ASTM, AASHTO, and CEN documents that provide guidance for specifying silica fume and silica fume concrete.
Chapter 5: Proportional Design of Silica Fume Concrete
This chapter details the design of proportions for designing concrete containing silica fume for various applications.
Chapter 6: Producing Silica Fume Concrete: Handling, Batching and Mixing
This chapter provides advice on handling silica fume in a concrete plant.
Chapter 7: Placing, compacting, finishing and curing silica fume concrete
This chapter provides advice on placing and finishing silica fume concrete on bridge deck slabs and other flat work.
Chapter 8: Silica Fume and Sustainability
This chapter discusses the role of silica fume in making concrete more sustainable.
Chapter 9: Silica Fume Health Issues
This chapter discusses health issues associated with the use of silica fume and provides recommendations for personal protection.
Chapter 10: References
This chapter collects references cited in other chapters.
Silica Fume Safety Data Sheet
The final section of the document provides a Safety Data Sheet for Silica Fume, including product identification, hazard identification, compositional information, first aid measures, fire precautions, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure control and personal protection, physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity, toxicological information, ecological information, disposal considerations, transportation information, and regulatory information.
Silica Fume Association
The Silica Fume Association (SFA) was founded in 1998 to serve as a representative of silica fume producers. For more information on Silica Fume, visit the SFA website (www.silicafume.org).
View and download the complete Silica Fume User’s Manual
