一文读懂：不同行业对石英砂的多元需求与应用全景

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the various applications and requirements of quartz sand in different industries, highlighting the significance of SiO2 content and the impact of raw material availability on supply and demand dynamics. Group 1: Quartz Sand Composition and Requirements - Different industries have varying requirements for the composition, granularity, and sphericity of quartz sand, with SiO2 content above 99.99% primarily used in high-purity quartz glass and silicon micro-powder, necessitating strict impurity limits [1] - Quartz sand with SiO2 content between 99.9% and 99.99% is used in high-end silicon micro-powder and photovoltaic glass, with supply currently in a "tight balance" state [1] - Quartz sand with SiO2 content below 99.9% is utilized in bulk applications such as flat glass and ceramics, where supply is currently abundant [1] Group 2: Types of Quartz Raw Materials - Various types of quartz raw materials include vein quartz, quartz sandstone, quartzite, natural quartz sand, and others, each with distinct characteristics and applications [5][6][7] - Vein quartz typically has a high SiO2 content exceeding 98% and is used for high-value products like high-end glass and silicon micro-powder [5] - Quartz sandstone, formed from weathered source rocks, generally has a SiO2 content above 90% and is widely used in glass and ceramics [6] - Natural quartz sand has a SiO2 content greater than 90% and is primarily used in metallurgy and ceramics [7] Group 3: Applications of Quartz in Various Industries - The glass industry is the largest consumer of quartz resources, with significant applications in construction, automotive, and medical fields, consuming approximately 3,406 million tons of quartz sand in 2021 [10][11] - The casting sand sector is the second-largest consumer, with an annual consumption of about 3,300 million tons, primarily sourced from quartz sandstone and natural quartz sand [13] - Industrial silicon, produced from quartz and carbon reductants, is crucial for downstream industries like photovoltaics and semiconductors, with a production of 261 million tons in 2021 [14] - Silicon micro-powder, derived from quartz, is widely used in electronics and construction, with a total production of 600,000 tons in 2021 [15] Group 4: High-Purity Quartz Applications - High-purity quartz is essential for high-tech products in industries such as semiconductors and photovoltaics, with applications including quartz crucibles and optical instruments [20][21] - In the photovoltaic sector, high-purity quartz is used to produce quartz crucibles for multi-crystalline silicon, which are critical for high-temperature processes [21][23] - The fiber optic industry relies on quartz glass as a fundamental material for fiber optic preform production, which is vital for communication networks [24]