Question: Can you help us to get rid of the mess created from using fumed silica in our silicone and polyurethane adhesive manufacture? It is so lightweight that it covers the entire factory.
Answer: First, you can use vacuum extractors above your mixing tanks to minimize dust getting into the air. However, other methods of handling fumed silica can virtually eliminate dust. Some manufacturers of silicone sealants use completely closed mixing systems, and they can use vacuum to transfer the fumed silicone into these tanks. For the more common mixing systems using open tanks, fumed silica suppliers can provide handling systems that are usually based on using either vacuum or diaphragm pumps to transfer the material directly from large bulk sacks that avoid the use of simple paper sacks. They will often supply these to you as a customer at no charge.