Properties and Uses of Silicon Carbide Powder

Posted by Tom Brady on October 27th, 2022

Silicon carbide powder is composed of tetrahedra of carbon & silicon atoms with stronger bonds in the crystal lattice. This produces a very harder and stronger material. Silicon carbide is not attacked by any other acids or alkalis or molten salts to 800°C. In the air, it forms a protective silicon oxide which is coated at 1200°C and can be used to 1600°C. The higher thermal conductivity coupled with lower thermal expansion and higher strength gives this material exceptional thermal shock resilient qualities and you can buy silicon carbide powder easily with us. Silicon carbide ceramics with slight or no grain boundary impurities continue their strength to very higher temperatures, approaching 1600°C with no other strength loss. Chemical purity, greater resistance to chemical attack at temperature, and strength retained at higher temperatures have made this material very prevalent as wafer tray supports & paddles in semiconductor furnaces. The electrical conduction of the substance has led to its use in resistance heating fundamentals for electric furnaces, and as a key constituent in thermistors and varistors.

Silicon Carbide is the chemical compound of carbon & silicon. It was first produced by a higher temperature electro-chemical reaction of sand & carbon. Silicon carbide is an outstanding abrasive and has been formed and made into grinding wheels and additional abrasive products. You can buy silicon carbide powder which has been developed into a higher quality technical grade ceramic with good mechanical properties. It is used in abrasives, ceramics, and many high-performance applications. The material can be made an electrical conductor and has claimed to resistance heating and electronic components.

Properties of silicon carbide powder

Vigorous crystal structure

Silicon carbide is composed of lighter elements, silicon, and carbon. Its basic building block is a crystal of carbon atoms forming a tetrahedron, bonded to a single silicon atom at the center. It also exhibits polymorphism as it occurs in different phases & crystalline structures.

Higher hardness

Silicon carbide has a Mohs rating of 9, making it the hardest material next to boron carbide & diamond. It is these apparent possessions that make it an excellent material choice for mechanical seals, and cutting tools.

Higher temperature resistance

Silicon carbide’s resistance to higher temperatures and thermal shock is the property that lets it be used in the manufacturing of other refractory materials.

Conductivity

If silicon carbide powder is purified, its behavior establishes that of an electrical insulator. But, by governing impurities, silicon carbides can display the electrical properties of a semiconductor.

Chemical constancy

Silicon carbide is a stable & chemically inert substance with higher corrosion resistance even when exposed or when boiled in acids or bases. It is found to respond in chlorine, but only at a temperature of 900°C & above. Silicon carbide will begin an oxidation reaction when the temperature is at approximately 850°C.