Silicon Carbide
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Supplier for Metallurgy and Refractory Industry
Silicon carbide (SiC) is a synthetic compound made from silicon and carbon. Due to its exceptional hardness, high thermal conductivity, and strong resistance to chemical corrosion, silicon carbide has become an important material in many industrial sectors. It is widely used in metallurgy, refractory production, abrasive materials, and high-temperature industrial processes.
In the metallurgical industry, silicon carbide is commonly used as a deoxidizing agent and alloy additive in steelmaking. Compared with traditional additives, SiC helps improve smelting efficiency while reducing energy consumption. It also contributes to better control of carbon and silicon content during steel production.
As an experienced silicon carbide supplier in China, we provide metallurgical grade silicon carbide with stable chemical composition and consistent particle sizes. Our products are widely used by steel plants, foundries, and refractory manufacturers in many countries.
What is Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide is a crystalline compound composed of silicon and carbon atoms arranged in a strong lattice structure. It is one of the hardest materials used in industrial production and has been widely used since it was first synthesized through the Acheson process in the late nineteenth century.
Because of its physical and chemical stability, silicon carbide performs well in high-temperature and high-stress environments where many conventional materials fail. This combination of strength, hardness, and heat resistance makes SiC a valuable material for modern industry.
Properties of Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide has a unique combination of mechanical strength and thermal stability. These characteristics allow it to maintain performance even under extreme operating conditions.
Some of the most important properties of silicon carbide include:
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | SiC |
| Hardness | 9.0 – 9.5 Mohs |
| Density | 3.21 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | approx. 2700°C |
| Thermal conductivity | High |
| Chemical stability | Excellent |
Because of its high hardness and wear resistance, silicon carbide is widely used in abrasive materials. At the same time, its excellent thermal conductivity and resistance to oxidation make it suitable for high-temperature industrial processes.
Types of Silicon Carbide
Commercial silicon carbide products are generally classified into two main types: black silicon carbide and green silicon carbide. Each type is suitable for different industrial applications.
Black Silicon Carbide
Black silicon carbide is the most commonly used type in industrial applications. It contains slightly lower purity compared with green SiC but provides excellent hardness and durability. Typical applications include:
- metallurgical additives
- refractory materials
- abrasive blasting
- grinding tools
Because of its balance of performance and cost, black silicon carbide is widely used in heavy industry.
Green Silicon Carbide
Green silicon carbide has a higher purity level and sharper crystalline structure. It is typically used in more specialized applications such as:
- fine grinding
- polishing materials
- advanced ceramics
- semiconductor components
Green silicon carbide is often selected when higher cutting performance and finer surface finishes are required.
Advantages of Silicon Carbide
Excellent high-temperature performance
The melting point of silicon carbide products is as high as 2700°C, which can maintain its structural stability and strength in high-temperature environments, so it is widely used in high-temperature molten metals, high-temperature heating furnaces, high-temperature petrochemical and other fields.
Excellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity
Silicon carbide has high thermal conductivity and excellent electrical conductivity, so it is widely used in the manufacture of high-power electronic components and radiators.
Strong corrosion resistance
Silicon carbide has excellent corrosion resistance and can work stably for a long time in acid, alkali and oxidative environments.
High hardness and high strength
Silicon carbide has higher hardness and strength than traditional ceramic materials, so it has good wear resistance and impact resistance.
Our metallurgical grade silicon carbide products are available in multiple grades and particle sizes to meet different industrial requirements such as steelmaking, foundry applications, and refractory production.
Metallurgical Grade Silicon Carbide
| Grade | SiC (%) | C (%) | SiO₂ (%) | Fe₂O₃ (%) | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiC 88 | ≥88 | ≤3.0 | ≤4.0 | ≤1.5 | 0–10 mm |
| SiC 85 | ≥85 | ≤3.5 | ≤5.0 | ≤1.8 | 0–10 mm |
| SiC 83 | ≥83 | ≤4.0 | ≤6.0 | ≤2.0 | 0–10 mm |
| SiC 80 | ≥80 | ≤4.5 | ≤7.0 | ≤2.5 | 0–10 mm |
| SiC 75 | ≥75 | ≤5.0 | ≤8.0 | ≤3.0 | 0–10 mm |
Available Particle Sizes
Common particle sizes include:
- 0–1 mm
- 1–3 mm
- 3–5 mm
- 5–10 mm
- 10–50 mm
Custom particle sizes can be produced according to customer requirements.
Characteristics of Silicon Carbide
Wide bandgap
SiC's bandgap is approximately three times wider than that of silicon, allowing it to function at higher voltages, frequencies, and temperatures.
High thermal conductivity
SiC effectively dissipates heat, making it ideal for applications with significant thermal loads.
Low power loss
SiC exhibits minimal switching losses, leading to improved energy efficiency in power electronics.
High breakdown voltage
SiC can handle much higher voltages without failure, making it indispensable for high-power systems.
Applications of Silicon Carbide
The combination of hardness, thermal stability, and chemical resistance allows silicon carbide to be used in a wide range of industries.
Silicon Carbide in Metallurgy
In steelmaking and metallurgical production, silicon carbide is used as a deoxidizer and alloy additive. It improves the efficiency of the smelting process while helping control the chemical composition of molten steel.
When silicon carbide is added to molten metal, it contributes silicon and carbon while reducing oxygen levels. This helps improve steel quality and reduce slag formation.
Silicon Carbide in Refractory Materials
Silicon carbide is an important component in refractory materials due to its high thermal conductivity and resistance to thermal shock.
It is commonly used in:
- furnace linings
- kiln furniture
- refractory bricks
- high-temperature structural components
The addition of silicon carbide improves durability and prolongs service life in high-temperature industrial furnaces.
Silicon Carbide in Abrasive Industry
Because silicon carbide is extremely hard, it is widely used in abrasive tools. It is commonly used to manufacture:
- grinding wheels
- sandpaper
- polishing powders
- blasting media
Its sharp crystal edges allow efficient cutting and grinding of metals, ceramics, and stone materials.
Silicon Carbide in Advanced Technology
In recent years, silicon carbide has also gained importance in advanced technologies such as power electronics and semiconductor devices. SiC-based semiconductors offer better efficiency and higher temperature tolerance compared to traditional silicon devices.
Silicon Carbide Grades
Technical Grade SiC
This grade contains a high amount of impurities and is used in abrasive applications.
Pure SiC
This is of higher quality than technical grade and is used in applications that require a higher degree of purity.
Ultra-High-Purity SiC
This grade is of the highest quality and is used in demanding applications, such as semiconductor manufacturing.
Production Process of Silicon Carbide
Feedstock
The feedstock consists of SiO2 in the form of silica or quartz sand and carbon in the form of powdered coke.
Mixing
The first step is to mix silicon dioxide and carbon in an electric resistance furnace. A graphite rod stands in the center, while other substances surround the core.
Heating
Then, a current is passed through the graphite rods to heat it to high temperatures of about 2200°C. Finally, a layer of silicon carbide is formed around the rod, and CO emits.
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Packing |
Bag /Steel Drum |
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Shipping |
Shipped by road, sea, rail |
Why Choose Our Silicon Carbide
As a professional supplier of metallurgical materials, we focus on delivering reliable silicon carbide products with consistent quality.
Our advantages include:
- stable chemical composition
- strict quality control during production
- flexible particle size customization
- reliable global shipping experience
Our silicon carbide products are widely used by steel manufacturers, foundries, refractory producers, and abrasive material companies in many countries.
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