The substance silicate, also known as silicates or silicates, consists of the salts and esters (formed when acid reacts with phenol or alcohol and splits off water) of orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4) and its condensates. Apart from the alkali silicates, silicates cannot be dissolved in water. They occur as natural silicates (silicate minerals), but can also be generated artificially. Their importance and the size of their natural deposits is illustrated by the fact that more than 90 percent of the earth's crust and almost all of the earth's mantle consists of a wide variety of silicates. Silicate is used in the jewelry and gemstone industry as well as in various branches of industry (paint, detergent and construction industries). Silicates include the mineral asbestos, which is now banned for construction purposes.
