Sodium silicate

Sodium silicate is a grey-white powder soluble in alkali and water, insoluble in alcohol and acid. Used to fireproof textiles, in petroleum refining and corrugated paperboard manufacture, and as an egg preservative.

Sodium silicate is also referred to as liquid gas, silicate of soda, sodium metasilicate, soluble glass, and water glass. It is used to make silica gel, the dessicating material sometimes found in a new pair of shoes or electronic equipment to keep the moisture level down.