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How to Liquefy a Silicate

Silicate is a compound that derives its name from its makeup of silicon. The silicate shares many similarities, in composition and attributes, to silica sand, also known as quartz or glass. Like glass, silicate can only be melted at extremely high temperatures of about 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. While it's true these silicon-based compounds take on a different form, they don't necessarily turn into a liquid. Rather, the silicate goes through "a more gradual process [and] keeps on softening until it can...flow," according to "The Physics Factbook."

Things You'll Need

Safety gloves
Safety goggles
Specialized furnace
Steam stick

Instructions

- 1
  Let your specialized furnace heat up. You'll need the temperature to be well above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit before you can melt the silicate.
- 2
  Use glass blowing materials to aid your work. You should have protective equipment on along with glass blowing items, like a puffer and a steam stick with a small platform.
- 3
  Place the silicate on the platform of the steam stick. Open the furnace and slowly move the steam stick inside.
- 4
  Hold the stick and the silicate inside the furnace. Wait about 10 minutes depending on the size of your silicate pieces.
- 5
  Pull the steam stick out and safely examine the silicate. The silicate should be in a molten form that can be shaped using a puffer.

Rocks & Minerals