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In its conventional chemical meaning, liquid glass is water containing dissolved alkaline silicates—usually sodium silicate, sometimes potassium silicate, or a combination. It has no single fixed recipe: the silicate-to-alkali ratio and concentration vary by product. The term is also used for formulated silicate coatings and, in newer materials research, for curable precursors that can be converted into silica glass.
What conventional liquid glass contains
Conventional liquid glass, also called waterglass, is an aqueous solution of soluble sodium silicate, potassium silicate, or both. A general description such as “sodium silicate in water” is useful, but it should not be mistaken for one exact molecule or universal formula: the silicate species and proportions depend on the product.
Two specifications help distinguish grades:
- Silicate modulus: the ratio of silicon oxide to sodium oxide in a sodium-silicate product. It indicates the relative silica and alkali proportions; it does not, by itself, state how concentrated the solution is.
- Concentration and density: these describe how much material is present in the solution. They are product specifications, not values implied by the words “liquid glass.”
For example, Запоріжсклофлюс describes its sodium liquid glass as an aqueous alkaline sodium-silicate solution and gives a modulus range of 1.5–3.6 and density range of 1.30–1.50 kg/dm³ for its products, in specifications last updated September 6, 2023. Those ranges apply to that supplier’s offerings, not to every waterglass product. Запоріжсклофлюс product specifications
A chemistry reference likewise defines liquid glass as an aqueous solution of sodium and/or potassium silicate and identifies “sodium silicate solution” as a common name. MEL Chemistry’s liquid-glass reference
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Why the name can mean more than one material
Waterglass solution
This is the conventional chemical meaning: soluble alkali silicate in water. When identifying a product, check whether its base is sodium silicate, potassium silicate, or a blend, along with its modulus, concentration, intended grade, and label.
Silicate coating
A silicate coating is a formulated product, not necessarily plain waterglass. Depending on its purpose, it may contain pigments, fillers, or other compounds alongside a sodium- or potassium-silicate binder. A 2023 review discusses modified liquid-glass systems used in anticorrosive coatings. 2023 review of modified liquid glasses for anticorrosive coatings
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Formulation changes are specific to the materials involved. A 2018 case study, for instance, reports that adding silica additives to its liquid-glass solution increased the silicate modulus and describes sol-silicate paint formulations. That finding describes the study’s formulations; it is not a rule for every additive or commercial coating. 2018 case study on sol-silicate wall-decoration compositions
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In a separate, newer research usage, “liquid glass” can refer to curable precursor materials that are shaped and then converted into silica glass. A 2026 review groups these systems into three broad classes: organic–inorganic nanocomposites containing silica nanoparticles, sol–gel molecular precursor systems, and polysiloxane- or siloxane-based polymers. These are not interchangeable with ordinary aqueous waterglass simply because the same label is used. 2026 review of polymerizable silica precursors
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Liquid glass is not the same as finished glass
Finished soda-lime-silica glass and borosilicate glass have compositions that differ from an aqueous silicate precursor. A 2023 study reports soda-lime-silica glass containing 70–75 wt% SiO₂, 12–16 wt% Na₂O, and 10–15 wt% CaO; it reports borosilicate glass containing 70–80 wt% SiO₂ and 7–13 wt% B₂O₃. These percentages describe the finished glass types in that study, not liquid waterglass. Scientific Reports study of soda-lime-silica and borosilicate glass
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How to identify a specific product
- Confirm what the seller means by “liquid glass.” Look for “sodium silicate solution,” “potassium silicate solution,” or a clear description of a coating or silica-convertible precursor.
- Check the composition and specifications. For waterglass, find the alkali silicate, silicate modulus where given, concentration or solids information, and density where listed. Do not treat a supplier’s range as a universal standard.
- Match the grade to its intended use. A raw solution, a pigmented coating, and a research precursor are different product categories; their ingredient lists and performance cannot be inferred from the shared name.
- Read the exact label and safety data sheet before handling. Hazards depend on the particular product and grade. MEL Chemistry lists severe skin burns and eye damage for the reagent described on its reference page, but that hazard statement should not be generalized to every product sold as liquid glass. MEL Chemistry reagent reference and hazard information
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
