Quartz sand is a highly versatile industrial mineral raw material composed primarily of SiO2 (silicon dioxide) with a granular structure and high purity. Recognized for its exceptional hardness, mechanical stability, thermal resistance, and non-chemical hazardous nature, quartz sand has become indispensable in a wide array of sectors including petrochemical, metallurgy, water treatment, glass manufacturing, electronics, construction, foundry, and coating industries.
As outlined in industrial standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 12407, ASTM C778, and ANSI, industrial-grade quartz sand is not only a raw material but also contributes as a performance-enhancing additive in several advanced applications.
- Industrial quartz sand: Manufactured with stringent size grading & impurity control for use in filtration, high-precision glass, and casting.
- Ground quartz sand: Finely milled quartz used in coatings, electronics, and composite materials for enhanced smoothness and reactivity.
Industry Trends: Quartz Sand in a Growing Global Market
According to Grand View Research (2023), the global quartz sand market size exceeded USD 13.7 billion in 2022, projected to grow at 6.9% CAGR through 2030. Key drivers include the surging demand for high-purity silica in electronics, solar photovoltaics, and architectural glass sectors.
- Asia-Pacific leads with >45% global consumption share, driven by solar panel and electronics manufacturing.
- New directions: ultra-pure quartz sand for semiconductors and lithium battery separators.
Technical Specifications of Quartz Sand
Here’s an overview of typical performance parameters for industrial quartz sand and ground quartz sand (ShunShun Mining and leading peers):
Parameter |
Quartz Sand (ShunShun) |
Industrial Quartz Sand (Peer A) |
Ground Quartz Sand |
Standard/Certification |
SiO2 Content (%) |
≥99.5% |
98.8-99.2% |
≥99.9% |
ISO 12407, ASTM C778 |
Fe2O3 (%) |
≤0.02% |
≤0.08% |
≤0.003% |
ISO 9001 |
Grain Size (mm) |
0.1–1.2 |
0.2–1.5 |
0.01–0.125 |
ANSI B74.16 |
Bulk Density (g/cm3) |
1.55–1.85 |
1.48–1.80 |
1.67–1.85 |
ASTM E1131 |
Mohs Hardness |
7.0 |
6.8–7.0 |
7.0 |
- |
Impurity Content (%) |
≤0.1% |
≤0.25% |
≤0.025% |
GB/T 3433 |
pH Value |
6.6–7.2 |
6.5–7.2 |
6.8–7.1 |
ISO 787-9 |
Key Advantages:
- High purity for electronics, PV glass, and high-end refractories
- Superior mechanical strength and chemical inertness
- Excellent optical transmittance (in certain size grades)
- Consistent granulometry and low impurity profile
Manufacturing Process Flow of Quartz Sand
The quartz sand production process integrates advanced beneficiation, purification, shaping, and grading technologies to ensure maximum quality and compliance with industrial standards.
- Quartz Ore Mining: Extraction from top-grade silica sources (≥99% SiO2 content).
- Crushing & Beneficiation: Physical size reduction, impurity removal.
- Washing & Magnetic Separation: Removal of ferromagnetic & clay impurities.
- Acid Leaching: Elimination of remaining metallic or colored impurities.
- Grading/Classifying: According to application – filtration, glassmaking, microelectronic substrate, etc.
- CNC Shaping: Customized grain shape/control for advanced industries.
- Quality Inspection: Rigorous multi-point testing (particle size, chemical purity, mechanical attributes; ISO/ASTM/ANSI standards).
- Packaging & Delivery: Bulk bags, drums, or custom packaging per industry demand.
View Process Video →
Quality Assurance: Each batch of quartz sand passes ISO 9001:2015, SGS, and third-party laboratory tests. Reported typical sieve residuals, chemical profiles, and mechanical strength results far surpass the minimums set by EN12904/GB/T3433-2008.
Applications & Typical Scenarios of Quartz Sand
Quartz sand and its derivatives dominate numerous application areas, thanks to their mechanical, chemical, and optical strengths.
Application |
Industry Standard |
Key Technical Requirements |
Main Benefits |
Water Filtration |
EN 12904, NSF/ANSI 61 |
Uniform grain size, >99% SiO2, low Fe |
Consistent flow, anti-biofouling |
Glass Manufacturing |
ISO 7885 |
Ultra-high purity,
| Transparency, clarity |
Foundry & Casting |
ASTM E11, ISO 9001 |
Controlled shape, high refractoriness |
Dimensional accuracy |
Resin & Composite Filler |
ASTM D6051 |
Superfine, ground quartz sand, oval shape |
Reactivity, uniformity |
Construction & Grout |
EN 206-1 |
Medium grain, high mechanical strength |
Cost-efficient strength |
Petrochemical Processing |
API RP 19C |
Proppant: roundness, high crush resistance |
Frac performance, longevity |
Example: Industrial quartz sand supplied by ShunShun Mining is used in semiconductor cleanroom construction owing to low metal contamination (<10 ppm total metals) and certified EN12904/ISO 9001 batch compliance, affording up to 50% higher glass clarity and 4x corrosion resistance compared to conventional sources.
Manufacturer Comparison & Customization Service
|
ShunShun Mining (Quartz Sand Product) |
Competitor A |
Competitor B (Intl.) |
Purity (SiO2) |
≥99.5% |
98.8-99.2% |
99.0-99.7% |
Certification |
ISO 9001, SGS, EN12904 |
CE, RoHS |
ISO 12407 |
Custom Grain Sizing |
0.05–2.5 mm (fine/mixed/graded) |
0.2–1.7 mm |
0.1–3 mm |
Typical Applications |
Electronics, Water, PV Glass |
Grouting, Construction |
Resins, Composite |
Quality Control |
Multi-point, ISO/ASTM tested |
Batch sampling |
SGS reports |
Annual Output (MT) |
100,000+ |
38,000 |
51,500 |
Customization Services |
Yes – full process custom |
Limited |
Yes |
Custom Solutions
- Particle size: from ultrafine ground quartz sand (D50: 7μm) to industrial granules (up to 2.5 mm)
- Tailored composition for photovoltaics, electronic packaging, filtration, specialty coatings
- Surface modification: silane coating, anti-caking treatment
- Custom packaging: 25kg bags, 1T jumbo, moisture-barrier container111s
Lead Time: Standard products: 7–14 days. Custom orders: 12–28 days depending on batch complexity and logistics. All shipments fully traceable with real-time support.
Project Examples:
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500T high-purity ground quartz sand delivered for Japanese LCD panel factory, achievement: increased panel yield by 11% (2023).
-
Supplied 2,000T of industrial quartz sand for Saudi oilfield proppant use, noted 25% lower sand attrition rate (Client: Sinopec Int’l).
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EN 12904 certified quartz sand deployed in Singapore NEWater Project, 8-year filter media lifespan.
Technical FAQ for Quartz Sand Buyers
Q1. What is the main chemical composition of quartz sand?
A: The principal component is silicon dioxide (SiO2), typically ≥99% in high-grade industrial quartz sand. Secondary minerals are minimal and impurity control is key (ISO 12407:2017).
Q2. What are the typical particle sizes for industrial quartz sand?
A: Standard industrial ranges: 0.2–1.2 mm. Fine grades (ground quartz sand) can reach 0.01–0.12 mm or even D50 <10μm for coatings/electronics.
Q3. What are the key ISO/ANSI standards for technical testing?
A: ISO 9001 (quality mgt), ISO 12407 (chemical/purity test), ASTM C778 (grading), ANSI B74.16/ASTM E1131 (mechanical strength, density) are most referenced.
Q4. How is moisture content in quartz sand controlled?
A: Post-washing, quartz sand is dried to <0.2% moisture (Oven-dry: ASTM D2216), ensuring stable flow and sieve performance in final use.
Q5. What is the corrosion or acid resistance of quartz sand?
A: With over 99% SiO2, it demonstrates excellent resistance to acids/alkalis (except HF) – ideal for chemical processing, filtration, and glassmaking.
Q6. What forms/packaging is available?
A: Bulk (1–2 ton), 25kg/40kg bags, valve/paper bags. Customized anti-caking and UV-resistant packaging for specific shipping needs.
Q7. What is the expected lifespan in common filtration or construction applications?
A: Under EN 12904 protocols, filter media life is 6–12 years. As aggregate, quartz sand will match concrete substrate lifespan (>40 years).
After-Sales & Warranty: Quartz sand from ShunShun Mining is covered by a 3-year technical warranty, with full batch-tracking and third-party certification reports. 24/7 expert consultation, global logistics support, and on-site technical advice available for all customers.
Customer Reviews & Industry Experience
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“ShunShun’s quartz sand enabled our drinking water plant to meet EN 12904 filtration norms with zero system fouling in 4 years.” – Client: Singapore Waterworks (2021)
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“Rapid support, full ISO traceability. Their industrial quartz sand outperformed previous suppliers in glass yield and clarity.” — Electronics Manufacturer, USA
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“Custom ground quartz sand matched our formulation at particle level, cutting our defect rate by 21%.” – Top Resin Plant, Japan
Serving over 240+ global industrial clients, ShunShun Mining offers a tested material, guaranteed by industry authorities (SGS, ISO). Cumulative service experience: 12 years in high-purity silica R&D and supply.
Conclusion & Industry References
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Quartz sand remains pivotal in enabling advanced manufacturing, sustainable water treatment, and next-gen electronics, with increasingly stringent quality and performance demands.
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ShunShun Mining’s certified, customizable product line positions it as industry-leading in purity, traceability, and bulk technical supply.
For further technical reading and industry developments, consult: