Electronic Applications
Potassium silicate is almost universally used to settle and bind phosphors to the face of black and white television picture tubes, as well as color projection TV tubes. Zacsil E200 grade is produced from high-purity raw materials for this application, and other electronics applications needing ultra-high purity. These phosphor screens are prepared by
mixing the phosphor with an electronics-grade potassium silicate solution and introducing this mixture into a clean tube
filled with a dilute electrolyte solution such as strontium silicate. A gel forms around the individual phosphor particles, which then settle to the bottom of the tube.
The strength of the phosphor-to-glass bond is a function of the concentrations of silica, potassium oxide, and electrolyte, as well as of trace irons, water purity, settling time and temperature.
Compatibility is excellent with the wide range of phosphors. Uniform films are obtained in contrast to sodium silicate,
which binds in an erratic, uneven manner. The very high purity of Zacsil® E200 insures that each phosphor will emit the desired color without influence by contaminants.