What is the difference between Precipitated Silica and Fumed Silica?

Precipitated silica is manufactured via a wet process (chemical precipitation) resulting in porous, larger secondary particles ideal for toothpaste and green tires. Fumed silica is made via a dry process (flame hydrolysis) creating non-porous, ultra-fine particles primarily used in coatings, adhesives, and sealants.

High-Performance Precipitated Silica

Featured Grades

Best Seller

Oral Care

SEMISIL 9

Serve as the premium-grade precipitated hydrated silica specifically engineered to serve as the primary friction agent in modern toothpaste formulations.

Technical Specifications

Best Seller

Thickener & Rheology Modifier

SEMISIL 22

Specialized thickening silica designed to define the texture and stability of oral care products. Operates as a high-performance rheology modifier.

Technical Specifications

Matting Agent

SEMISIL P600

High-performance wax-treated silica matting agent that delivers exceptional gloss control, high clarity, and superior scratch resistance for premium wood and industrial coatings.

Technical Specifications

Industrial Application Matrix

Oral Care (Toothpaste)

Friction Thickening

Cleaning (SEMISIL 9): Superior stain removal with controlled and safe abrasivity.
Viscosity (SEMISIL 22): High oil absorption capacity, imparting ideal rheology and thixotropic structure to the paste.
High Purity: Ultra-low heavy metal content, fully compliant with international pharmacopoeia hygiene standards.

Coatings, Inks & Plastics

Matting Anti-Blocking

Matting Efficiency: Optimized particle size distribution tailored for various dry film thicknesses.
Anti-Blocking: Effectively reduces the Coefficient of Friction (COF) while maintaining superior optical clarity.
Surface Modification: Wax-treated grades available to significantly enhance scratch and mar resistance.

Food, Pharma & Cosmetics

Anti-Caking Flow Aid Texture

Food Stability: Acts as a high-performance anti-caking agent for powdered flavorings and ingredients.
Cosmetic Texture: Ideal for liquid foundations and makeup, providing a silky skin feel and superior oil absorption.
Pharma Excipient: Serves as a pharmaceutical-grade stabilizer and glidant to improve powder liquidity.

Silicone Rubber

Reinforcement Durability

Mechanical Strength: Significantly enhances the tear strength and abrasion resistance of rubber compounds.
Green Tires: Reduces rolling resistance while improving wet grip and fuel efficiency.
Processing Efficiency: Excellent dispersibility ensures a highly efficient and uniform mixing process.

Product Selection & Specifications

Function / Category	Product Grade	Particle Size	Surface Treatment	Primary Selection Logic
Oral Care (Abrasive)	SEMISIL 9	9.0 – 11.0 μm	Untreated	Core cleaning agent designed to enhance toothpaste stain removal efficiency.
Oral Care (Thickener)	SEMISIL 22	9.0 – 11.0 μm	Untreated	High oil absorption grade providing exceptional structural support and paste body.
Matting Agent	SEMISIL P600	6.5 – 7.0 μm	Organic Wax	Ideal for wood coatings; balances high matting efficiency with superior haptic performance.
Matting Agent	SEMISIL P607	4.0 – 4.5 μm	Organic Wax	Optimized for thin-film coatings, offering excellent surface smoothness and clarity.

Expert Selection FAQ

Comparison: Precipitated vs. Fumed Silica

Precipitated Silica Wet Process

Manufacturing Chemical precipitation from sodium silicate solution with sulfuric acid.

Structural Morphology Porous, larger secondary particles with high surface hydroxyl groups.

Core Applications

Toothpaste Green Tires Anti-Caking

Fumed Silica Dry Process

Manufacturing Flame hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) in an O₂/H₂ flame.

Structural Morphology Non-porous, ultra-fine primary particles forming chain-like aggregates.

Core Applications

Coatings & Inks Sealants Adhesives

Why use Precipitated Silica as a Matting Agent?

High Matting Efficiency

Engineered pore volume maximizes light scattering, achieving a dead-matte finish with lower dosages.

Superior Optical Clarity

Refractive index matched to common resins (approx. 1.46) to ensure deep, transparent finishes without milkiness.

Precision Haptics

Strict particle size distribution (D50) provides a smooth, soft-touch surface ideal for premium wood and leather.

Scratch & Mar Resistance

Wax-treated grades reduce the Coefficient of Friction (COF), protecting surfaces from burnishing and mechanical wear.

Anti-Settling Properties

Surface-modified particles ensure “soft settling,” allowing for easy re-dispersion even after long-term storage.

Chemical Inertness

Provides excellent UV stability and resistance to household chemicals without affecting coating adhesion.