What is SFA?

The Silica Fume Association (SFA) was formed in 1998 to assist the producers of silica fume in promoting its usage in concrete. Silica fume, a by-product of silicon and ferro-silicon metal production, is a highly-reactive pozzolan and a key ingredient in high-performance concrete, dramatically increasing the service-life of structures.

Mission Statement

The SFA advances the use of silica fume in the nation's concrete infrastructure and works to increase the awareness and understanding of silica-fume concrete in the private civil engineering sector; among state transportation officials; and in the academic community. The Association's goals are two-fold:

• To provide a legacy of durable concrete structures, saving tax dollars spent on early repair and reconstruction.
• To decrease silica fume volume in the national waste stream.

Planned Activities

• Testing of in-place silica-fume concrete to establish long-term performance under service conditions.
• Preparation of a "how-to" user manual aimed at concrete specifiers, producers, and contractors.
• Preparation of a guide specification for silica-fume concrete.
• Promoting the use of high-performance concrete in bridges to the Federal Highway Administration and various state departments of transportation.
• Conducting lectures, workshops, and training sessions, as well as participating in appropriate technical associations.

Membership

The founding members of the SFA are Elkem Materials and Norchem Concrete Products. Membership in the Association is currently available to all U.S. silica fume producers.

Corporate Structure

The SFA is a not-for-profit corporation based in Delaware, with offices in Virginia and Ohio. Activities are carried out by a chief operating officer, responsible for day-to-day functioning; a general counsel, responsible for antitrust compliance; and an executive director, responsible for all planned technical products and programs.