Specific weight of silicon, properties, uses and calculation table
Silicon is a chemical element and one of the most abundant components of the Earth’s crust. In nature it is usually not found in free form, but occurs in silicon dioxide, quartz, sand and various silicate minerals.
Technical silicon is produced mainly by reducing silica with carbon in electric furnaces. Purer forms of silicon are used in electronics, solar energy, metallurgy and the chemical industry.
Table of silicon specific weight
Silicon is a solid crystalline substance, so its exact density is determined from reference data or laboratory measurements. For calculations, a value of about 2.328 g/cm3 is usually used. This means that 1 m3 of silicon weighs approximately 2328 kg.
Specific weight and weight of 1 m3 of silicon
| Material | Specific weight (g/cm3) | Weight of 1 m3 (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon | 2.328 | 2328 |
Properties of silicon
Silicon is a hard and brittle dark-gray substance with a metallic luster. Crystalline silicon has a diamond-like lattice and belongs to semiconductor materials.
Under normal conditions silicon is fairly stable, but when heated it reacts with oxygen to form silicon dioxide. At high temperatures it also reacts with a number of metals and nonmetals, forming silicides and other compounds.
Due to its combination of chemical resistance, semiconductor properties and ability to form strong compounds, silicon is widely used in industry. Main applications include:
- metallurgy, where silicon is used as a deoxidizer, alloying additive and component of ferroalloys;
- production of technical and polycrystalline silicon;
- manufacture of semiconductor elements, microchips and solar cells;
- production of silanes, silicones and other organosilicon materials;
- manufacture of glass, ceramics, refractory materials and special alloys;
- use in plastics and coatings as a functional additive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the density of silicon be used for precise calculations?
The density and weight values for silicon in this article are reference values. They are suitable for preliminary estimates, but design, construction, production and other critical calculations should be checked against standards, material datasheets or measurement results.
Why can the actual weight of silicon differ from the table?
The actual weight of silicon depends on composition, moisture, temperature, porosity, fraction size, material grade and measurement conditions. Because of this, real values may differ from the average table data.
How do you calculate the mass of silicon from density?
For an approximate calculation, use the formula: mass = density × volume. If the density of silicon is given in kg/m³ and the volume is in m³, the result will be in kilograms.