Introduction:
| Symbol | : | Si |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | : | 14 |
| Melting point | : | 1,414°C |
| Density (near r.t) | : | 2.3290 g/cm3 |
Characteristics:
- Silicon is a hard, relatively inert metalloid and in crystalline form is very brittle with a marked metallic luster.
- Silicon occurs mainly in nature as the oxide and as silicates. The solid form of silicon does not react with oxygen, water and most acids.
Applications:
- In making car brakes, car clutches, ceramic plates in bullet proof vests
- High-purity silicon metal is used by many industries as alloying elements.
- In the chemical industry it is used for producing silicon compounds as well as silicon wafers used in photovoltaic solar cells and electronic semiconductors.