Silica

DEFINITION

A hard mineral substance found in various natural deposits. Silica ground into a granular form is a component of glass and ceramic bodies, cement and abrasives, and, further refined as silicon, in computer chips. Silica gel is a granular substance that has high moisture-absorbing and -emitting properties and is used as a moisture stabilizer in packing and storing humidity-sensitive objects.Also see art conservation, clay, climate control, relative humidity, sand, and silicone rubber.