The Magical Stone of Nature – Quartz

Quartz has a simple composition—silicon dioxide (SiO₂), the same as the main ingredient in glass. But unlike glass, it’s tougher, with a crystal structure that forms regular hexagonal prisms. Quartz has a Mohs hardness of 7, making it able to scratch glass but easily marked by diamond (hardness 10) and corundum (hardness 9). Around 20% of Earth’s rocks contain SiO₂. You can find it in sandstone, granite, slate, and more. One-third of beach sand is made up of SiO₂ grains. Its resistance to weathering and corrosion means it maintains its “original color” even after millions of years of erosion.

Under different temperature and pressure conditions, quartz takes on different forms and characteristics. These include low-temperature SiO₂ (α-quartz), high-temperature SiO₂ (β-quartz), and coesite, each revealing secrets about the Earth’s deep structure and the mysterious power of silicon.

Properties of Quartz

Quartz is not only beautiful but also possesses remarkable properties.

Piezoelectric Effect: Quartz crystals generate an electrical current under pressure, and conversely, they deform when an electric current passes through them. This property is what powers the heart of SiO₂ watches—the SiO₂ oscillator. These watches are extremely precise, with daily errors of less than 0.5 seconds.

High-Temperature Resistance: Quartz melts at 1750°C. SiO₂ glass, made from this material, can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations. It is used in space shuttle windows and high-temperature laboratory equipment.

Optical Properties: Pure quartz is highly transparent to ultraviolet and infrared light. High-purity SiO₂ minimizes signal transmission losses in optical fibers.

Semiconductor Industry: High-puritySiO₂ sand (over 99.999% pure) is essential in the manufacture of semiconductor chips. Crystalline silica is used to make the containers for crystal wafer growth and photolithography lenses because it is free of impurities, preventing chip contamination.

The Colorful World of Quartz

Quartz comes in many colors and forms. From the white ordinary SiO₂ to purple amethyst, pink rose SiO₂, and green phantom SiO₂, each color represents quartz’s unique charm. Its forms vary from fine particles to large crystals. Some SiO₂ crystals even have unique shapes like hexagonal prisms or pyramids, showing the wonders of nature’s craftsmanship.

Mining and Processing Technology of Quartz

Mining Methods and Equipment: Quartz can be mined through open-pit or underground methods. Open-pit mining is suitable for areas with widespread, shallow deposits. It quickly extracts large quantities of raw ore through blasting and excavation. Underground mining is used for deeper deposits that are not suitable for open-pit extraction. Mining requires various specialized equipment like excavators, loaders, and crushers.

Processing and Quality Control: The processing of quartz involves steps such as crushing, grinding, washing, drying, and screening. Various specialized equipment like crushers, ball mills, and washing machines are used in these stages. Quality control is critical throughout the process, including raw material testing, monitoring during production, and final product inspection.

Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development: Quartz mining and processing generate waste gases and wastewater. To minimize environmental impact, we employ advanced gas treatment and wastewater processing technologies. Furthermore, efforts to recycle materials and improve energy efficiency help reduce carbon emissions. For example, using recycled raw materials and additives reduces the need for new resource extraction. Production processes are also continuously improved to enhance energy use and minimize emissions.

Epic Powder

Quartz is an essential material in various industries due to its unique properties, from high-temperature resistance to piezoelectric capabilities. The extraction and processing of SiO₂ require specialized equipment and strict quality control measures. Epic Powder’s advanced grinding and classification equipment, including jet mills and ball mills, are ideal for producing high-purity quartz powders with precise particle sizes. With the help of Epic Powder’s cutting-edge technology, SiO₂ products can be refined to meet the demands of industries such as semiconductors, aerospace, and optics, ensuring both quality and efficiency in the final product.