Cabot Corporation Cabot GmbH Cabot Brasil Indestria e Cabot Specialty

700 E. U.S. Highway 36 Postfach 90 11 20 Comérco Ltda. Chemicals, Inc.

Tuscola, IL 61953-9643 D-63420 Hanau Av. Joäo Castaldi, 88 Level 14, MNI Tower 2
U.S.A. Germany 04517-800 Säo Paulo, SP 11, Jalan Pinang
Tel: (217) 253-3370 Tel: (49) 6181-505150 Brazil 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (800) 222-6745 Fax: (49) 6181-505201 Tel: (55) 11-536-0388 Malaysia

Technical Data Fax: (217) 253-4334 Fax: (55) 11-542-6037 Tel: (60-3) 2164-8352
Fax: (60-3) 2162-0253
REGULATORY STATUS OF CAB-O-SIL MANUFACTURE OF CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA
The use of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica has been approved, CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is produced by the hydrolysis
since 1958, by the United States Food and Drug of chlorosilanes such as silicon tetrachloride vapor in
Administration for many food applications as both a a flame of hydrogen and oxygen, as shown in
direct food additive at levels up to 2 weight percent the reactions.
and as a substance allowed in the manufacture of 1) 2H2 + O2 2H 2O
materials that come into direct contact with food in 2) SiCl4 + 2H2 O S i O2 1 + 4HCl
various producing, manufacturing, packing, preparing,
transporting and holding operations. Pertinent sections S i C l4 + 2 H2 + O2 — S i O2 1 + 4HCI
in Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations are cited below. 1800°C
Food Additives In the combustion process molten spheres of silica
172.480 Principal Section—Free-Flow and are formed. The diameters of the silica spheres are
Anti-Caking in Foods varied through process changes from averages of 7 to
21 nanometers. This produces grades with final sur-
133.146 (b) Anti-Caking in Grated Cheese
face areas ranging from 400 square meters per gram
160.105 (a) (d) Anti-Caking in Dried Eggs through 90 square meters per gram, respectively.
172.230 (a) Microencapsulation of Flavoring Oils These molten spheres, termed primary particles,
173.340 (a) Defoaming Agents collide and fuse with one another to form branched
573.940 Animal Feeds and Drinking Water three-dimesional, chain-like aggregates as shown
in Figure 1. In contrast, precipitated silicas and
Indirect Food Additives
silica gels have usually much larger grape-like
a) Adhesive Coatings 175.105, 175.300, 175.350, cluster aggregates.
& Components 175.390
b) Paper and Paperboard 175.170, 176.180, 176.200,
Components 176.210, 182.90
c) Polymers 177.1200, 177.1210,
177.1350, 177.1400,
177.1460, 177.2420,
177.2600
Food Chemical Codex CAB-O-SIL fumed silica meets
all of the requirements for “Silicon Dioxide” (Synthetic
Amorphous Silica).
U.S.P. National Formulary CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
meets the requirements for purity and testing for “Col-
loidal Silicon Dioxide,” as described in the U.S.P.
National Formulary.
Cosmetic Use CAB-O-SIL fumed silica has been autho-
rized by the F.D.A. for use in amounts of up to 3
weight percent in cosmetic applications.
Pharmaceutical Use CAB-O-SIL fumed silica has been
authorized by the F.D.A. for use of up to 3 weight
percent in internal applications and up to 8 weight Figure 1. Electron micrograph of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
percent in pharmaceutical products for use in which has been highly dispersed in collodion to isolate the
topical applications. individual aggregates. Original magnification 7,938 X; final
magnification 25,000 X (from a negative print).
EPA Status CAB-O-S I L fumed silica is registered in
the EPA/TSCA Inventory as Silicon Dioxide, C.A.S.
#112945-52-5; EPA Code A-343-7356. As the aggregates cool below the fusion temperature
Hazardous Materials Act (P.L. 93-633) CAB-O-SIL of silica (approximately 1710°C) further collisions
fumed silica is classified as a non-hazardous, non- result in some reversible mechanical entanglements or
restricted substance under the provisions of the Act agglomeration. Further agglomeration also takes place
of 1977. in the collection process.
The residual adsorbed hydrogen chloride on the
Federal Labeling Act CAB-O-SIL fumed silica meets all
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica surface is then reduced to
of the requirements of this Act with respect to exemp-
less than 200 ppm by calcination.
tions from Hazardous Labeling.

2
PROPERTIES OF CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA was not detected at the level given. This data does
not represent a guarantee or specification but simply
Table 1. shows typical values found when random production
CAB-O-SIL GRADES M-5 AND EH-5. samples were tested by various analytical methods.
M-5 EH-5 In contrast commercial precipitated silicas and
Surface Area (m2/g) 200±25 380±30 hydrogels are less pure due to their method of
Average primary particle size manufacture and contain higher levels of impurities
(nanometers) 14 7 such as sodium, magnesium, calcium and others.
Wt. % SiO2 (ignited weight basis) >99.8 >99.8
2) Structure
Dibutyl Phthalate Oil Absorption
The amorphous nature of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is
value (lbs./100 Ibs. SiO2) -500 -600
shown by the absence of lines in its x-ray diffraction
Bulk Density (lbs./cu. ft.) 2.5 2.5 pattern. Its amorphous nature is probably caused by
pH (4% slurry in water) 3.7-4.3 3.7-4.3 the extremely rapid cooling (milliseconds) of the silica
Wt % loss on drying at 105°C (max.) 1.5 1.5 particles (aggregates) from the molten to solid states
Wt % loss on ignition (1000°C, during its manufacture in the flame. Amorphous silica
moisture free basis) (max.) 2 2.5 has not been found to cause the serious inhalation
Wt % 325 mesh residue <0.02 problems associated with crystalline silicas, such
<0.02
as quartz.
1) Purity 3) Surface Chemistry
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is the purest commercially CAB-O-SIL fumed silica particles are nonporous and
available submicron size amorphous silica. It is have a large number of hydroxyl groups on their sur-
>99.8 weight percent silicon dioxide on an ignited face as shown in Figure 2.
weight basis. The combination of extremely fine particle size and
consequently high surface area (a 10 lb. bag of
Table 2. CAB-O-SIL grade M-5 fumed silica contains the equiva-
Typical Analysis of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica for lent of over 900,000 square meters of surface area)
Trace Metallic Contaminants together with a large number of hydrophilic (water lov-
Element ppm Element ppm Element ppm ing) hydroxyl sites make CAB-O-SIL fumed silica an
Ag <0.2 Cr <0.5 P <0.5 excellent desiccant. This is extremely important in
Al <5 Cu <0.5 Pb <0.1 how CAB-O-SIL fumed silica functions as a free-flow
As <0.05 Fe <2 Sb <0.1 additive for powdered foodstuffs.
B <2 Hg <0.1 Se <0.1 Commercially available grades of CAB-O-SIL typically
Ba <0.5 Li <0.1 Sn <0.5 contain <2 weight percent adsorbed moisture on
Be <0.1 Mg <1 Ti <1 their surfaces. This moisture can readily be removed,
Bi <0.2 Mn <0.1 V <0.1 if desired, by heating the CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
Ca <2 Mo <0.3 Zn <0.2 at temperatures of 110°C. On prolonged heating of
Cd <0.1 Na <0.5 Zr <0.5 CAB-O-SIL fumed silica at high temperatures,>200°C,
co <0.1 Ni <1 the surface hydroxyl groups are slowly removed
The “less than” sign (<) indicates that the element from the silica surface.

Figure 2. Typical groups which can occur on the CAB-O-SIL fumed silica aggregate, determining its surface chemistry.

3
CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed silica is the general purpose
Middle surface area and least expensive grade.
CAB-O-SIL EH-5 is an Extra High surface area grade.
CAB-O-SIL EH-5 fumed silica with a surface area
approximately twice that of CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed sil-
ica will have a greater moisture adsorption capacity
than CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed silica. To effectively utilize
this higher surface area as an anti-caking agent, dis-
persion techniques may have to be varied from that
normally used for CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed silica.
Relative Humidity (%)
Figure 3. Moisture adsorption by CAB-O-SIL fumed silica as a
function of the relative humidity at 23.5 °C.
CAUSES OF POOR FLOW AND CAKING
The flow and caking properties of powdered materials
are due to several different factors:
1) Particle to particle adhesion.
2) Moisture content and hygroscopicity.
3) Particle size and shape.
4) Degree of compaction.
5) Electrostatic charges.
6) Fusion (sintering) close to ambient temperatures.
1) Particle to Particle Adhesion
All powdered materials have a natural tendency to
clump together to some extent due to the attractive
forces that exist at the surface of all particles. The
strength of these attractive forces depends on the
chemical nature of the material.
4
2) Moisture Content and Hygroscopicity
This is a major cause of free-flow problems. Many par-
ticles, (e.g. salt, sugar) have surfaces which are
hydroscopic, i.e., tend to adsorb water molecules from
the atmosphere. Eventually these particles can adsorb
so many water molecules that a microscopic film of
water is formed at the points of contact between
neighboring particles. If the material is very soluble in
water the film will even contain material dissolved
from the surface of the particles. The microscopic
water or solution films increase the attraction between
the particles, increasing the caking tendency of the
powder and reducing its free-flow properties.
On drying a powder which has been subjected, during
use or storage, to a sequence of high humidity and
temperature cycles, the free-flow properties of powder
are reduced compared to its original dry state. This is
because on drying the water film between the parti-
cles pulls them closer together as it evaporates. For
particles very soluble in water, a salt bridge is formed
which cements neighboring particles. Both processes
cause severe caking and result in very poor flow
properties of the powders.
3) Particle Size, Shape and Packing
As mentioned previously all particles attract one
another to some degree. The closer the surfaces of
the particles are to one another the greater their
attraction. Hence, smaller particles have greater attrac-
tion for one another than large particles of the same
shape and normally exhibit poorer free-flow and have
greater caking tendencies.
The ideal shape for particles to give good free-flow
properties are large, smooth, uniformly sized spheres.
Irregular shaped particles of wide size distribution
have poorer free-flow properties because mechanical
entanglements between the particles also hinder flow.
The worst particle shapes for free-flow are plates
and needles.
4) Compaction
The more a powder is compacted by pressure, the
closer the particles approach one another and the
more -they become entangled. Both effects reduce
the free-flow properties and increase the caking
tendencies.
5) Electrostatic Charge
Many powdered materials become electrostatically
charged when the material is conveyed or mixed,
especially if done under dry or very low humidity
conditions. Frequently this results in the deposition
of the powder on surfaces and can result in problems
such as poor flow through orifices, screen plugging,
and bridging.
6) Fusion
Some powder materials, (e.g. whey or grated cheese),
melt at fairly low temperatures. Particles of these pow-
ders will often start to flow and coalesce with one
another at temperatures existing during the summer or
in hot climates. The rate of coalescence is increased
if the powders are subjected to compression during
storage.
MECHANISM BY WHICH CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA
IMPROVES FREE-FLOW AND REDUCES CAKING
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica incorporated in small
amounts, usually less than 1 weight percent, into a
powdered food product, forms a thin coating of
aggregates around the much larger host particles of
food, as shown in Figure 4.
This CAB-O-SIL fumed silica coating reduces caking
and improves free-flow by the following mechanisms:
1) By forming a physical barrier between the host par-
ticles, attractive forces including electrostatic forces
are reduced and any tendency of the powder to
agglomerate is inhibited.
2) The high surface area and hydrophilic nature of the
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica coating acts as a scavenger
for moisture on the host particles and agglomeration,
triggered by the presence of moisture, is minimized.
3) By filling surface irregularities of the food
particles, interparticular friction is reduced and
flow-ability improved.
Figure 4.
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica particles form a thin movable layer
on the larger particles of powdered materials with which they
are mixed. Acting as tiny spacers they produce a ball bearing
effect, sliding and tumbling to promote freeflow of the powder.
HOW TO USE CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA FOR
FREE-FLOWING POWDERS
1) Mixing
Although the F.D.A. has approved the addition of up
to 2 weight percent CAB-O-SIL fumed silica as a free-
flow and anti-caking additive for foods, in practice
much lower levels (typically 0.1-0.5 weight percent)
have been found to be effective. Since the mechanism
by which CAB-O-SIL fumed silica imparts free-fiow
involves depositing a thin coating of CAB-O-SIL fumed
silica aggregates onto each food particle, the mini-
mum and most cost effective amount of CAB-O-SIL
fumed silica would be that required to form this coat-
ing. In theory the amount would be expected to vary
with the size of the host particles — the larger and
more uniform the particles, the lower the concentra-
tion of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica necessary to impart
free-flow. The addition of further, quantities of
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica will not improve the flow
properties of the powder.
The best method of depositing the coating of
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica on the host particles is a gen-
tle mixing action of the two powders. Too severe a
mixing action can cause further breakdown of the
host particles with the need for additional CAB-O-SIL
fumed silica to impart optimum free-flow.
In cases where high shear grinding action must be
exerted on the host powder during manufacture, it is
strongly recommended that CAB-O-SIL fumed silica be
gently blended with the host powder after the grinding
process. This provides the most efficient method for
incorporation of the free-flow additive.
For spray dried products CAB-O-SIL fumed silica nor-
mally should be added after the spray drying process.
Several types of commercially available equipment are
available for blending CAB-O-SIL fumed silica with
powders:
a. Twin Cone blender.
b. Ribbon and paddle mixers operated at low speeds.
c. Motionless mixers.
2) Quick Laboratory Test
The optimum level of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica neces-
sary to free-flow a powder can be quickly determined
in the laboratory by some simple screening tests. To
several wide mouth jars half filled with a predeter-
mined amount of host powder add CAB-O-SIL fumed
silica at a series of concentrations based on the
weight of the host powder, for example, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5
and 1.0 weight percent. Cap the jars and shake by
hand for five minutes. The improved flow-ability of the
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica treated samples versus the
untreated powder can be visually observed and a
qualitative estimate of the minimum concentration
of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica required to give good flow-
ability can be made.
On a larger laboratory scale blends can be made using
Turbula mixers, paint shakers, small twin cone blenders
or similar types of equipment.
5
MEASUREMENT OF FREE-FLOW AND ANTI-CAKING
PROPERTIES

Many investigations have been made on the flow

properties of powdered materials. The tests devised to
better quantify those powder properties significant to
their free-flow and anti-caking characteristics include:
a. Angle of repose
b. Rate of flow through a funnel
c. Shear strength
d. Bulk tensile strength
e. Bulk density
f. Electrostatic charge
g. Pressure tests under specific conditions of tem- Figure 6. Left, good flow; right, poor flow.
perature and pressure
h. Measurement of force required to break caked
powders The rate of flow of powder through a funnel involves
i. Monitoring collapse of powder beds. placing a known weight of powder, usually 250 g, into
a standard size funnel (e.g. plastic funnel 10 cm dia.,
1.6 cm inside diameter of the bottom hole). The pow-
der is held in the funnel by placing a plate over the
bottom hole. The plate is removed from the hole and
the time required for all of the powder to flow out of
the funnel is noted. The test is repeated several times
and the average flow time determined. For some sam-
ples no flow or only partial flow with “rat holing” is
observed. The observations are recorded.

Figure 5. Angle of Repose Test

The CAB-O-SIL fumed silica Technical Service Labora-

tory has found that the angle of repose and rate of
flow through a funnel are simple, fast and effective
tests to measure the flow properties of powders.
Briefly the angle of repose test involves pouring the
powder through a funnel until the apex of the cone of
powder formed touches the bottom of the funnel (see
Figure 5). The height and diameter of the base of the
powder cone are measured and the angle of repose,
the angle of incline of the cone of powder from the
horizontal, is calculated. The more flowable the pow-
der the smaller the angle of repose. A reasonable
classification of angles of repose for powders is
given below.

Angle of Repose Flowability

> 45° Poor
35 45° Fair
30 34° Good Figure 7. Rate of Flow Test
<30° Excellent Excellent flow on left. No flow on right.

6
Figure 8. Rate of Flow Test. Poor flow with “rat holing” on
right. Excellent flow on left.
A more sophisticated approach uses a series of fun-
nels with different orifice sizes. Powder samples are
placed in each funnel and their flow properties are
observed. The narrower the funnel orifice through
which flow occurs the better the free-flow properties Figure 10. Powder on left, no caking, Powder on right
shows caking.
of the powder.
In evaluating anti-caking properties the powder should
be stored under environmental conditions similar to EXAMPLES OF USE OF CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA
those to which the material will be subjected. Tests in AS A FREE-FLOW AND ANTI-CAKING AGENT IN
the CAB-O-SIL fumed silica Techical Service laboratory CORNSTARCH, DEXTROSE AND DRY FOOD MIX
are normally conducted at relative humidity conditions The free flow properties which CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed
in the ranges 50-60%. and 80-90% with the powder silica can impart to three different types of powdered
stored in open containers. This is obviously a severe food stuffs. Cornstarch, dextrose, and a dry food mix
test in the case of the higher humidity range because are shown in Figure 11 and Table 3.
the actual package of many food products protects
the contents to some degree. In the case of powders
that may be stored in bulk or large stacked bags, for
example, weights are applied to cylinders of the pow-
der to approximate the weight per unit area of stacked
bags of the material. (See Figure 9)
Rating of the degree of caking is somewhat subjective
unless the material still has some flow properties
where the Angle of Repose and Flow Time measure-
ments can be used.
If the material has caked to the extent that these
two tests cannot be used to get meaningful data, a
rating based on the visual appearance of the powder
must be developed, ranging from no caking to
complete caking.

Weight Percent CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed silica

Figure 11. Free Flowing in Various Powdered Food Products
with CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed silica at Ambient
Conditions (25°C)

Figure 9. Testing Powders under compression

Sulphur without CAB-O-SIL fumed silica (left) is caked.
Sulphur with 0.05 weight % CAB-O-SIL (right) flows freely.
7
 Table 3. Free Flowing Cornstarch, Dextrose and Dry Food Mix With CAB-O-SIL M-5 Fumed Silica
Weight Percent CAB-O-SIL Added
o 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.9 1.5 2.0
Cornstarch Angle of 42.4° 25.40 14.7° <14.7° <13.4° 15.5° 19.3° 22.3 °
Repose
Flow Properties N.F. < Free Flowing >
Dextrose Angle of 38.60 33.00 30.0 ° 29.80 29.10 30.90 31.0 “ 29.70
Repose
Flow Properties N.F. < Free Flowing >
Dry Food Mix Angle of 39.40 39.20 37.70 36.60 33.0° 28.9° 26.50
Repose
Flow Properties < No F l o w > < Free Flowing >`
N.F. = No FloW R.H. = “Rat holing” (partial flow)
..

The results clearly show that CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
can be an effective free-flow additive for powdered
food stuffs. However, the minimum amount required
to give good flow properties varies for different food
stuffs. CAB-O-SIL fumed silica at 0.05 weight percent
gave excellent free-flow properties to cornstarch but
the food mix required 0.9 weight percent for free-flow.
Examination of photo-micrographs of the powders
showed that the cornstarch had fairly uniform, roughly
spherical size particles whereas the dry food mix had
much more irregular particles. This explains the need
for the higher CAB-O-SIL fumed silica levels required
for free-flowing the food mixture.
Once the optimum amount of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
for good free-flow was determined, the addition of
more CAB-O-SIL fumed silica did not significantly
improve the free-flow properties of the cornstarch
or dextrose.
The ability of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica to reduce the
caking tendencies of cornstarch on exposure to 85°/0
R.H. for 3 days at room temperature is shown by the
data in Figure 12 and Table 4.
Table 4. Free Flow Properties of Cornstarch Containing
CAB-O-SIL M-5 Fumed Silica Before and After
Exposure for 3 days at 85% Relative Humidity
Weight % CAB-O-SIL Fumed Silica Added
Ambient o 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.50 0.90
Conditions
Angle of Repose 42.4° 25.4° 14.7° <14.7° <13.4° 15.5°
Flow Properties N.F. < Free Flowing >
3 Days at
85% R.H.
Angle of Repose 42.8° 24.7° 20.50 18.70 20.0° 20.6°
Flow Properties N.F. < Free Flowing >
The results show that an extremely low concentration
of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica can be an effective anti-
caking agent by helping to protect the free flow
properties of powdered foods which have been
exposed to high humidity conditions. CAB-O-SIL EH-5
fumed silica, because of its greater moisture adsorp-
tion capacity, is the preferred grade of CAB-O-SIL
fumed silica for an anti-caking agent for material
exposed to high relative humidity.
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica has been evaluated in our
laboratory as a free flow additive in a wide range
of powdered food stuffs. The minimum amounts of
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica required to impart good free
flow properties to several powdered food stuffs are
listed below in Table 5.

Table 5.
Free Flowing Powdered Foods
With CAB-O-SIL M-5 Fumed Silica

Angle of Repose Percent

Without With CAB-O-SIL
CAB-O-SIL CAB-O-SIL M-5 Fumed Silica
Host Powder Fumed Silica Fumed Silica Added
Wheat Powder 50° 42 ° 0.25
Chocolate Powder 50° 42° 0.50
Cream Substitute 470 38° 0.50
Sodium Bicarbonate N.F. 35° 2.00
Powdered Soup 36° 31° 2.00
Dietary Food 48 ° 41° 0.75
Vitamin Concentrate N.F. 36 ° 0.75
Figure 12. Weight % CABOSIL M-5 Fumed Silica Added

8
 10
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Figure 13. Weight Percent Free Flow Additive

Table 6.
Comparison of the Free-Flow Properties of CAB-O-SIL M-5 Fumed Silica
and Competitive Materials in Cornstarch
Weight % Additive
0 0.05 0.10 0.30 0.50 0.90 1.5 2.0
CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed silica
Angle of Repose 42.4° 25.4° 14.7° 15.10 <13.4° 15.5° 19.3° 22.3°
Flow Properties N.F. < Free Flowing >
Precipitated Silica
Angle of Repose —— 33.5° 20.4° 20.8° —— 20.9° 21.3°
Flow Properties —— N.F. R.H. R.H. R.H. F.F.
Silica Aerogel
Angle of Repose —— 28.6° 25.7° 20.4° 21.0° 17.7° 18.8°
Flow Properties N.F. N.F. N.F. R.H. F.F. F.F.
Sodium Silicoaluminate
Angle of Repose —— 40.9° 34.4° 26.1° 21.9° 21.8° 22.8°
Flow Properties —— N.F. N.F. R.H. R.H. F.F. F.F.
Hydrogel Silica
Angle of Repose —— 39.6° 38.7° 39.2° 38.3° 34.6° 31.2°
Flow Properties < No Flow >

N.F. = NO F l o w R.H. = “Rat holing” (partial flow) F.F. = Free-flow

9
CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA AS A DISPERSING AID IN
POWDERED FOODS
Frequently powdered food stuffs are dispersed in
water or other liquids either as part of a plant process
or by the consumer. Many powdered food stuffs are
partially hydrophobic and form lumps when added to
water, which are then difficult to disperse or dissolve.
The addition of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica to these pow-
ders will also improve their dispersion properties in
addition to improving their free-flow and anti-caking
properties. The thin coating of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
on the food particles makes their surfaces very
hydrophilic, allowing the rapid penetration of water
through the powder mass and subsequently improving
the ease of dispersion.
Figure 14. Chocolate drink mix without CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
clumps severely when mixed in water.
Figure 15. Dispersion of chocolate drink mix in water is
greatly enhanced when Cab-O-Sil fumed silica is added.
10
10
CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA AS A THICKENING
AGENT IN FOOD STUFFS
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is an excellent viscosity con-
trol agent, widely used in many industries other than
foods. One of the several side benefits of its use as a
free-flow agent for powdered food stuffs is its ability
to help thicken liquids once the powdered food has
been added to water, milk, or other liquids. The small
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica particles have a refractive
index of 146 which is similar to that of many liquids
so that the CAB-O-SIL fumed silica particles are
invisible in the liquid.
At present, CAB-O-SIL fumed silica lacks F.D.A.
approval as a thickening agent in foods. CAB-O-SIL
fumed silica does find wide use in the pharmaceutical
industry where levels of up to 3 weight percent for
internal medicines and up to 8 weight percent to topi-
cal applications do have F.D.A. approval. Some users
have petitioned the F.D.A. directly whereby higher
levels of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica have been used for
specific applications.
The data in Figure 16 shows a comparison of the
thickening properties of CAB-O-SIL M-5 fumed silica
versus another type of silica in sorbitol. The greater
thickening properties of the CAB-O-SIL fumed silica
are related to the chain-like nature of the silica
aggregates whereas precipitated silica and silica gels
have much larger grape-like clusters.
Figure 16. Comparison of the Thickening Properties of
CAB-O-SIL M-5 Fumed Silica and Silica Aerogel in Sorbitol.
CAB-O-SIL FUMED SILICA AS A CARRIER FOR
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica has been approved by the
F.D.A. for the microencapsulation of various flavoring
oils. It converts these liquids into free-flowing pow-
ders suitable for use in flowing food stuffs.
During the microencapsulation process, small droplets
of the oils become surrounded by a layer of CAB-O-SIL
fumed silica aggregates. This silica coating then pre-
vents the surfaces of oil droplets coming into contact
with one another and coalescing back into a bulk liquid
form, and converts the oil to an apparently free-
flowing powder. When the powdered oil is placed
in water, the water quickly penetrates the powder
coating, releasing the flavoring oil so that it can be
readily dispersed throughout the cake, jelly, or other
food product.
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is a more effective microen-
capsulation agent than other types of silicas used for
this purpose because of its unique extremely small
chain-like aggregates. This is clearly reflected in its
very high oil absorption values shown in Table 7.
TABLE 7.
Oil Absorption Values for CAB-O-SIL Fumed Silica
and a Silica Aerogel.
Oil Absorption Values
(lbs./100 lbs. silica)
CAB-O-SIL Silica
M-5 Aerogel
Orange Oil 830 430
Lemon Oil 820 390
HANDLING AND STORAGE
1) Handling
Since CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is a dry powder mate-
rial, we recommend the following for maximum com-
fort and safety
1) Avoid continued excessive inhalation. Fumed silica
dust levels should not exceed an 8 hour time
weighted average dust exposure of 20 million parti-
cles/cubic foot (OSHA standard) or 6 mg/cubic
meter (ACGIH proposed standard).
2) Provide adequate ventilation of the work area.
Where ventilation is not available, use any NIOSH
approved dust mask.
3) Wear eye protection.
4) Extended exposure to fumed silica dust may dry
skin, hence protective skin oils and gloves are
useful.
5) Clean up of CAB-O-SIL fumed silica spills can be
handled using a broom, vacuum or wet absorbent
material. Wet CAB-O-SIL fumed silica on a walking
surface may be slippery.
6) Dry powders, such as CAB-O-SIL fumed silica can
build static electrical charges when subjected to
friction by pouring, conveying or mixing. Proper
safety precautions, including electrical grounding,
inert atmosphere etc., should be taken when
handling near flammable or explosive liquids. For
further information see NFPA#77, 1977,
“Static Electricity.”
2) Storage
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica should be stored in a dry
environment away from chemical vapors to maintain
its purity and properties.
Compliance with the various regulations of OSHA,
EPA, FDA and other federal agencies, as well as
those of state and local agencies is incumbent
upon the user.
TOXICOLOGY
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is amorphous and does not
possess the fibrogenic potential of many crystalline
silicas. Experience over the past 30 years of
manufacturing fumed silica shows not a single
complaint case of lung fibrosis or loss of pulmo-
nary functions due to silica inhalation.
Recent tests with Iaboratory animals have given the
following results:
1) Acute Oral Toxicity
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica was administered by oral
gavage to 10 albino rats at dose levels of 5 grams
per kilogram of body weight following methodology
described in 44 FR 44054, Part 772.112-21. All
animals survived the 14 day duration of the study.
When tested under the stated conditions, the
Oral LD-50 for CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is greater
than 5g/kg.
2) Primary Dermal Irritation
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica was evaluated for primary
dermal irritation potential when applied under
impervious bandages to clipped, intact, and
abraded skin of albino rabbits by the methodology
described in 44 FR 44054, Part 772.112-25. The Pri-
mary Irritation Index was calculated to be 0.44 on a
scale of 0-8.
3) Primary Eye Irritation
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica was evaluated for primary
eye irritation potential when instilled in the eyes of
rabbits by the methodology described in 44 FR
44054, Part 772.112-24. The mean Primary Eye irrita-
tion Scores for unwashed eyes were 1.0 and 0.3 (in
a scale of 0-110) after 24 and 48 hours respectively
and 0.0 for the duration of the test. Scores for
washed eyes were 0.0 throughout the 7 day test
period.
The fumed silica was considered inert to mildly
irritating.
4) Acute Dust Inhalation (4 hr. Gravimetric)
A group of 10 test animals (rats) was exposed to an
atmosphere with a gravimetric concentration of 2.08
mg/1 (nominal concentration 59 mg/1) of CAB-O-SIL
fumed silica for a 4 hour period followed by a 14
day observation period. No animals perished during
the exposure or in the 14 day period after exposure.
At necropsy, no gross lesions were observed.
When tested in the stated conditions, the LC-50 for
CAB-O-SIL fumed silica is greater than the gravi-
metric concentration of 2.08 mg/1 or nominal con-
centration of 59 m/1.
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), a Health
Safety Bulletin and any additional information may
be obtained by contacting:
CABOT Corporation
P.O. Box 188
Tuscola, IL 61953
Telephone: 217-253-3370
11
 The data and conclusions contained herein are based on studies
made in Cabot Corporation laboratories and are believed to be
reliable. However, we do not guarantee that similar results and/or
conclusions will be obtained by others. We disclaim any liability
resulting from the use of the contents of this report since the
conditions of use are beyond our control. Furthermore, nothing
contained herein shall be construed as a recommendation to use
any product in conflict with existing patents covering any mate-
rial or its use.

HFM&A 1.5M October 1989

12