ESTABLISHING POSSIBLE MECHANISMS FORPRODUCING NANOPARTICLES OF TRONOH SILICA SAND VIA LOW SPEED MECHANICAL MILLING PROCESS

Silica sand is abundantly available in every part ofthe world and it is commonly used for production of ceramic matrix composites, construction of buildings, bridges, dams, roads and bricks as well as in production ofrefractory materials for high temperature furnaces. Some ofthe most important properties ofsilica sand are high hardness, high tensile and compressive strength, high chemical resistance, high temperature resistance, good insulation, high wear resistance and brittle in nature. Advanced uses of silica sand include in the production of engine, rotor, valve, bearings, sensors and thermal protection system. Natural silica sand is also found in Malaysia especially in Tronoh, Perak where previous tin mining activities were actively progressed 50 years ago