Characterization and evaluation of silica fume as an extender pigment for surface coating applications

Silica waste fume is a byproduct produced in the manufacture of ferrosilicon. The sample, which was very fine and rich in silica, was characterized using chemical and spectrophotometric measurements (XRD and electron microscope). The silica fume was incorporated in anticorrosive paint formulations based on alkyd resin to replace partially or completely the imported diatomaceous silica. The various paint formulations were evaluated and the physico‐mechanical properties as well as the corrosion protection properties of the painted films have been studied. Promising results were achieved, which showed that silica fume can replace satisfactorily the imported diatomaceous silica from the economical and environmental points of view.