MICRO-SILICA TECHNOLOGY
Silblock
Fine amorphous silica used as a supplementary solid component in engineered cement blends. Screen it where particle packing, matrix development and high-temperature formulation stability matter.
cementing technologies
Silblock
Silica Slurry
Explore two silica technologies for oilwell cement formulation: concentrated micro-silica for solids-led design and colloidal silica for liquid-phase addition. Each follows its own mixing and qualification path.
TWO FORMS OF SILICA
Different forms. Distinct formulation
paths.
Silblock and Aquasilica bring silica into a cementing system by different routes. Silblock is a concentrated micro-silica slurry with a stated 40–45% solids range. Aquasilica EXAS is a family of alkaline colloidal silica dispersions intended for liquid-phase addition. Choose the form according to mixing equipment, water chemistry, slurry design and the specific well program.
01 / SILBLOCK
Concentrated micro-silica
Introduce fine silica solids as part of the cement blend. Account for the slurry’s silica solids and carrier water when calculating the complete mix.
02 / AQUASILICA
Colloidal dispersion
Introduce silica through the liquid phase. Check the dispersion’s stability in the actual mix water and its interaction with the cement and additives.
COLLOIDAL SILICA DISPERSION
Aquasilica EXAS series
An aqueous dispersion of nanoscale silica. Its clear, pourable appearance helps distinguish it from dry micro-silica while opening liquid-phase formulation routes for cementing applications.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION PROFILES
Choose by silica form.
Use these profiles for initial enquiries. Silblock solids reflect the stated 40–45% slurry range; EXAS series values below are proposed targets adapted from the supplied reference image; confirm both grades against their approved TDS and batch COA before customer release.
Silblock · micro-silica slurry
| Property | Indicative specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Amorphous micro-silica dispersed in water |
| Appearance | Grey to dark-grey pumpable slurry; verify batch |
| Silica solids | 40–45% by mass; stated product range |
| Particle size distribution | Grade and method specific; request TDS |
| pH / density / viscosity | Report from approved batch COA at stated temperature |
| Use | Cement slurry formulation trials |
| Supply | IBC option; capacity and availability on quotation |
Values other than the stated solids range are descriptive
or pending grade confirmation; they are not release limits.
Aquasilica EXAS series · colloidal silica
| Property | Grade family |
|---|---|
| Type | Alkaline aqueous colloidal silica |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly opalescent liquid; verify by grade and batch |
| Available grade references | EXAS-1030, EXAS-1430, EXAS-620G, EXAS-1030G |
| Silica solids | 19–21% or 29–31%, depending on grade |
| Particle size | Grade-specific reference range shown below |
| Use | Liquid-phase cement formulation trials |
| Supply | IBC option; capacity and availability on quotation |
Select the grade by required silica concentration and
particle size; verify compatibility with actual mix water
and cement.
AQUASILICA ALKALINE GRADE REFERENCES
Compare all four EXAS grades.
| Grade | SiO₂ (%) | Na₂O (%) | Density (g/cm³) | pH | Viscosity (mPa·s) | Particle size (nm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXAS-1030 | 29.0–31.0 | ≤ 0.5 | 1.19–1.21 | 9.0–10.5 | ≤ 9 | 8–10 |
| EXAS-1430 | 29.0–31.0 | ≤ 0.5 | 1.19–1.21 | 9.0–10.5 | ≤ 9 | 10–15 |
| EXAS-620G | 19.0–21.0 | ≤ 0.6 | 1.11–1.13 | 9.5–11.0 | ≤ 9 | ≤ 7 |
| EXAS-1030G | 29.0–31.0 | ≤ 0.5 | 1.19–1.21 | 9.0–10.5 | ≤ 9 | 8–15 |
The figures reproduce the four alkaline reference rows supplied
by the user under EXAS grade names. They are proposed product
targets, not measured EXAS batches or certified release limits.
The reference image prints density as g/cm²; density is expressed
here in g/cm³. Confirm methods, TDS and batch COA before publishing
guaranteed specifications.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION AREAS
Build the cement system around the
job.
01
Primary cementing
Evaluate silica as part of the cement slurry when planning zonal isolation and placement across the planned temperature window.
02
Lightweight systems
Examine how silica interacts with water demand, density agents and slurry stability during laboratory development.
03
High-temperature blends
Screen the complete cement design at expected downhole conditions; base material selection on actual thickening and strength testing.
GRAPHICAL FORMULATION GUIDE
What to screen in the lab.
Conceptual particle-scale comparison
Schematic comparison of colloidal nanoscale silica with larger micro-silica particles, not measured size distributions
Schematic only. Actual primary-particle and aggregate
sizes depend on the selected commercial grades.
Illustrative formulation response
Qualitative schematic: changing silica loading can affect slurry viscosity and formulation workability; no product performance results shown
Qualitative design illustration, not measured Silblock
or Aquasilica data. Confirm dosage effects through
cement rheology and stability tests.
VISUALIZING SILICA MORPHOLOGY
A closer look at particle structure.
SEM-style illustration generated for visual explanation.
It is not a microscope image or particle-size evidence
for either grade.
Structure shapes formulation.
Silica may form fine primary particles and larger clusters. Dispersion, solids concentration and compatibility with the cement system govern how a grade behaves in practice. Request actual SEM and particle-size data for the grade under evaluation.
ASK FOR GRADE DATA ↗ SELECTION AND HANDLING
Pick the form that fits your process.
Silblock / micro-silica
- Introduce as a fine solid into the cement design.
- Evaluate powder or slurry supply form and solids loading for the selected grade.
- Check mixing, dispersant demand and settled solids in the final blend.
Aquasilica / colloidal silica
- Introduce as a liquid dispersion into the mix-water route where appropriate.
- Check stability against salts, pH, cement alkalinity and admixtures.
- Specify grade-specific silica solids, pH and particle size from the approved TDS.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Silica in cementing: FAQs.
Technical guidance for understanding Silblock, Aquasilica, compatibility, formulation and laboratory evaluation.
Both are silica technologies, but micro-silica is handled as a fine solid or high-solids slurry, while colloidal silica is supplied as an aqueous dispersion. Use the approved grade TDS for the exact form.
The pictured flask illustrates a transparent colloidal silica dispersion. Appearance varies with concentration and particle size; confirm the actual supplied grade.
Screen it with the actual cement, mix water, dispersant and job conditions. Compatibility and dosage vary by formulation.
Check rheology, thickening time, free fluid, sedimentation, compressive strength and any well-specific performance requirements.
No. They explain design considerations; product performance needs grade-specific laboratory data.
BULK SUPPLY PRESENTATION
IBC shipment
option.
Both liquid product forms can be discussed for supply in sealed, pallet-mounted IBCs, subject to grade, batch, destination and confirmed availability.
- Typical IBC format shown: nominal 1,000 L capacity.
- Each shipment should carry the grade name, lot number, net quantity and applicable handling information.
- Request the batch COA, packing details and dispatch schedule with your quotation.
Image is a representative logistics visualization. It does not document packed stock or confirm that a shipment is ready for dispatch.
CHECK IBC AVAILABILITY ↗
Design the next cementing trial.
Send the cement type, water chemistry, target density, temperature and preferred silica form. Our technical team can help plan a screening program.
Contact EXPLORAX ↗