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Silicate
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<p>A silicate is any member of a family of <a href="/facts/Polyatomic_anion/FcPWAyLm">polyatomic anions</a> consisting of <a href="/facts/Silicon/cgWx0hdr">silicon</a> and <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a>, usually with the general formula [SiO(4−2<i>x</i>)−4−<i>x</i>]<i>n</i>, where 0 ≤ <i>x</i> < 2. The family includes <a href="/facts/Orthosilicate/CKXheWm5">orthosilicate</a> SiO4−4 (<i>x</i> = 0), <a href="/facts/Metasilicate/Fl99N3R4">metasilicate</a> SiO2−3 (<i>x</i> = 1), and <a href="/facts/Pyrosilicate/1843CBbx">pyrosilicate</a> Si2O6−7 (<i>x</i> = 0.5, <i>n</i> = 2). The name is also used for any <a href="/facts/Salt_(chemistry)/lsSKwGpn">salt</a> of such anions, such as <a href="/facts/Sodium_metasilicate/tmbpSnrH">sodium metasilicate</a>; or any <a href="/facts/Ester/FoUAIIw4">ester</a> containing the corresponding <a href="/facts/Moiety_(chemistry)/WxKqcJe1">chemical group</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Tetramethyl_orthosilicate/6BAcTQy6">tetramethyl orthosilicate</a>. The name "silicate" is sometimes extended to any anions containing silicon, even if they do not fit the general formula or contain other atoms besides oxygen; such as <a href="/facts/Hexafluorosilicic_acid/J35wRTRh">hexafluorosilicate</a> [SiF6]2−. Most commonly, silicates are encountered as <a href="/facts/Silicate_minerals/WclrQW2I">silicate minerals</a>. </p><p>For diverse manufacturing, technological, and artistic needs, silicates are versatile materials, both natural (such as <a href="/facts/Granite/G2evuVKo">granite</a>, <a href="/facts/Gravel/IwHG9JfI">gravel</a>, and <a href="/facts/Garnet/kqh2lWQI">garnet</a>) and artificial (such as <a href="/facts/Portland_cement/kPj8EjnP">Portland cement</a>, <a href="/facts/Ceramic/9JKudpqX">ceramics</a>, <a href="/facts/Glass/hezRsAGf">glass</a>, and <a href="/facts/Waterglass/055T0IYW">waterglass</a>). </p>