Anyone one used Sodium Silicate after it has crystallized?

[Babs]

I have 2 containers half cull of sodium silicate.

One has become a hard gel.

One has become opaque with a hard shell of crystallized stuff.

Is this liquid still useable

Has anyone just used this or is this stuff no longer sodium silicate. I am remembering vaguely some past  chemistry here.

Did I have two forms of sodium silicate initially.

Using it to add to slip 

[Min]

Recent thread here. If there is still liquid on top that part of it could be okay, the solid part isn't.

[Babs]

Thnks Min.

Different behaviour of sodium silicate in different jars interesting. One was gifted to me.

Really hot summer here.

First time seen the clear stiff gel.

[liambesaw]

3 minutes ago, Babs said:

Thnks Min.

Different behaviour of sodium silicate in different jars interesting. One was gifted to me.

Really hot summer here.

First time seen the clear stiff gel.

It's now silica gel in that case, the stuff we use to absorb water from the air.

The only way it can be reconstituted after drying is to boil it in lye, which is dangerous and with a gallon of sodium Silicate being as cheap as a cup of coffee, there's also no real point.

[Babs]

Thanks Liam.

Just wierd how one jar fomed crystals and other gel.

Should i store  sodium silicate in cool or warm conditions. Shed was pretty hot this summer. I've used product for many years . First time it has gone off. Only buy it by the litre.

Best not to stir it?

Best to decant a little andquickly shut jar?

Best stored in glass or plastic.

When young in chemlab it was kept in glass decanter similar to a sherry or port decanter on window shelf

[liambesaw]

Mine came in a plastic jar, it has stayed liquid for years, it slowly thickens and I add a little water when I see it's exceptionally thicker.  I don't keep it any specific temperature, it's just kept in my shed

[Babs]

Just a coincidence both at once and Murphy.

Same here