The silicon dioxide in iron has to be taken away.
Silicon dioxide is also an ingredient in table salt for the same reason.
Toward this end, a layer of silicon dioxide is sometimes added to act as a thermal barrier.
Silicon dioxide has been used as a gate oxide material for decades.
Physicists have long wondered just how closely they can slice silicon dioxide.
Another problem with silicon dioxide is that it would be the product of aerobic respiration.
It was almost 100% Silica (silicon dioxide) and had a high melting point.
Silicon dioxide has traditionally been used as the gate insulator.
It is primariliy removed by conversion to silicon dioxide and water.
So the silicon dioxide gives a "false" positive weight.