Editing Sodium silicate (section)

==Properties==
Sodium silicates are colorless glassy or crystalline solids, or white powders. Except for the most silicon-rich ones, they are readily soluble in water, producing [[alkaline]] solutions.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} When dried up it still can be rehydrated in water.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=The OxyChem Sodium Silicate Handbook |date=2019 |url=https://www.oxy.com/siteassets/documents/chemicals/products/other-essentials/silicate.pdf}}</ref>

Sodium silicates are stable in [[pH|neutral]] and [[alkaline]] solutions. In [[acidic]] solutions, the [[silicate]] ions react with hydrogen ions to form [[silicic acid]]s, which tend to decompose into [[hydrate]]d silicon dioxide [[gel]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Heated to drive off the water, the result is a hard translucent substance called [[silica gel]], widely used as a [[desiccant]]. It can withstand temperatures up to 1100&nbsp;°C.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}