Australia's Science Forum

Hi there,

It's so long since I posted anything almost forget how.

Our senior chem teacher has asked for sodium silicate solution for tomorrow. I only have sodium silicate, anhydrous. Can I use this to make a solution and, if so, any idea of the quantities needed?

The anhydrous stuff has been sitting on the shelf for ages and never requested, never used!

Any help gratefully appreciated!!

Robbie

Do you have "waterglass"? It's a sodium silicate solution often used in making crystal gardens.
Carol

No, we don't have any waterglass left - that is the problem!! It is needed to make bouncy balls.

Robbie

bouncy balls - how do you make them????

We use PVA{polyvinyl alcohol) and borax to make bouncy balls. Never heard of sodium silicate solution for making bouncy balls. Do you have a recipe??
Lada

Hi,
Sodium silicate solution seems to vary in composition according to the supplier but 30% sodium metasilicate to water seems about average. Type in waterglass to Chemwatch and see what comes up.

Cheers,
Gwen

Robbie,
Have been checking the web and from what I can make out sodium silicate solid is difficult to dissolve unless a lot of heat is applied. Would be interested to know if you had any problems making up a solution of waterglass.
Lyn.

lada wrote:We use PVA{polyvinyl alcohol) and borax to make bouncy balls. Never heard of sodium silicate solution for making bouncy balls. Do you have a recipe??
Lada

Do you have a recipe for bouncy balls, now that sounds like fun to me

Give me your fax no and I will fax it to you. It is a lot of fun
lada

Yes please!!! it is 9959 4460... Thanks Lada you are the bestest

I would like one also 9823 7662

Could i also have the recipe for bouncy balls please

My fax no is 02 6583 6640

thank you

Done!!

Thank you Lada, that was quick. well done.

Thank you all for your suggestions and help!

I eventually found a small amount of sodium silicate solution which Year 12 Chem students used.

The recipe we use is ethanol and sodium silicate solution using a plastic cup, paddle pop stick and measuring cylinder. You can also add a drop or two of food colour for a more interesting result.

It is quicker and safer than the old method of using boric oxide. The experiment produces a silicone elastomer that has excellent rebound when dropped onto a solid surface.

I will scan the full instructions and post it as a pdf attachment tonight for anyone interested!

Robbie

Yes please .. and the other recipe for bouncy balls - I would love that too fax is 0249586145

Could I also have the recipe for the bouncy balls too please. Thank you.
Fax number is 02 63863048

yes please - 0267462648 or if you are sick of faxing just PM it to me either way i dont mind.
KIMMY

I would love someone to send me a fax my number is 9896 3087 we will be doing it soon
Thanks
Noona

I will try to attach the recipe and instructions for making a Super Ball - a silicone elastomer - using sodium silicate and ethanol.

I have deleted the photos to make the file small enough to be accepted as an attachment, so there is no need to fax it.

Hope you find this useful, our Year 12 Chem students had a ball (pardon the pun). They added a few drops of food colouring to make it more interesting.

Cheers,

Robbie