E560 Anti-caking agent

Impregnation of wood with an E560 solution is an easy and low-cost way for rendering the woodwork of houses secure against catching fire. The woodwork is first saturated with a diluted and nearly neutral solution of E560. After drying, one or two coats of a more concentrated solution are usually applied.

In horticulture, E560 is used as a soluble source of potassium and silicon. It makes the growing medium more alkaline.

It is also used as a supplement (in conjunction with normal fertilizer) for the numerous benefits that increasing the availability of silicon compounds has. Silicon-containing compounds are valuable to a plant and services to support the plant. Stems thicken, the plant becomes more tolerant to drought and resists wilting, and the plant gets larger leaves and fruit (because the stem can support more weight). The thicker cell walls of the plant also provide an added mechanical resistance to sap-sucking insects (e.g. spider mite) and various pathogenic fungi (e.g. powdery mildew). Some metal cleaning formulations use E560, which also serves as a corrosion inhibitor. It also finds various uses in the fabrication of welding rods or even cosmetics.