Editing Silicon dioxide (section)

===Structural use===
About 95% of the commercial use of silicon dioxide (sand) is in the construction industry, e.g. in the production of concrete ([[Portland cement concrete]]).<ref name=Ull/>

Certain deposits of silica sand, with desirable particle size and shape and desirable [[clay]] and other mineral content, were important for [[sand casting]] of metallic products.<ref>{{cite book|title=Albany moulding sands of the Hudson Valley |first= 	Charles Merrick |last=Nevin|publisher= University of the State of New York at Albany|date= 1925}}</ref> The high melting point of silica enables it to be used in such applications such as iron casting; modern sand casting sometimes uses other minerals for other reasons.

Crystalline silica is used in [[hydraulic fracturing]] of formations which contain [[tight oil]] and [[shale gas]].<ref name="NYT82313">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/business/new-rules-would-cut-silica-dust-exposure.html|title=New Rules Would Cut Silica Dust Exposure|last=Greenhouse S|date=23 Aug 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=24 Aug 2013}}</ref>