There is a product called silica sol, which is a dispersion of nano-sized silica particles in water or a solvent. This product is a kind of inorganic silica gel, and is a liquid state, so it is also known as liquid silica gel in the industry.

Silica sol is a colloidal solution, odorless, non-toxic. Silica sol is the dispersion liquid of nanometer silica particles in water or solvent. Because SiO2 in silica sol contains a lot of water and hydroxyl, so silica sol can also be expressed as sio2.nH2O.

Silica sol has the following characteristics:
1. Due to the fine colloid particles (10-20nm), there is a large specific surface area, the particle itself is colorless and transparent, does not affect the color of the covering.
2. The viscosity is low, water can permeate everywhere, so the dispersion and permeability are very good when mixed with other substances.
3 when the silica sol water evaporation, colloidal particles firmly attached to the surface of the object, the formation of silicon and oxygen between the particles, is a good adhesive.

Its uses are as follows:
1. Used as a binder for all kinds of refractory materials, with strong adhesion, high temperature resistance (1500-1600°C), etc.
2. Used in coating industry, can make the coating firm, and can fight dirt and dust, aging resistance, fire and other functions.
3. Used for thin shell precision casting, can make shell shape strength, high casting finish. The quality of its shape is better than that of water glass, and it can reduce the cost and improve the operating conditions instead of ethyl silicate.
Silica sol has high specific surface area, which can be used for catalyst manufacturing and catalyst carrier.
5. Used in papermaking industry, can be used as anti-stick agent of cellophane, pre-treatment agent of photographic paper, anti-slip agent of cement bag, etc.
6. Used as sizing agent in textile industry, it is used with oil agent to deal with the spinnability of wool and rabbit hair, reduce broken head, prevent flying, improve the rate of finished products, increase economic benefits.
7. Used as treating agent for silicon steel sheet, dispersing agent for picture tube, anti-skid of floor wax, etc.

Conclusion: the relationship between liquid silica gel and liquid silicone rubber is that liquid silicone rubber belongs to liquid silica gel, but liquid silica gel not only contains liquid silicone rubber, because the liquid silica sol of inorganic silica gel is also called liquid silica gel!