Die Partikel von Silikatrauch sind extrem klein. Im Durchschnitt, Die Teilchen sind ungefähr 0.1 Mikrometer (100 Nanometer) im Durchmesser. Um das ins rechte Licht zu rücken, if a typical silica fume particle was the size of a football, then a single grain of cement would be about the size of a car.

The small particle size is a key reason why silica fume is so effective as a pozzolan in concrete. It fills in the gaps between larger particles, reducing the porosity and increasing the strength and durability of the finished product.