Silicon Carbide (SiC) is accessible in two forms, sintered and reaction bonded. Both materials have a high thermal conductivity and are ultra hard. Due to these rarities silicon carbide is widely used in rotary seal and bearing applications, where the increased conductivity and hardness enhances bearing and seal performance. RBSC (Reaction bonded silicon carbide) has excellent properties at very high temperatures and can be used in refractory applications. Silicon carbide equipments display high abrasion resistance and good erosion. These unique properties can be utilized in a wide range of applications such as shot blast nozzles, spray nozzles and cyclone components.
Properties of Silicon Carbide:
Silicon Carbide Production Process:
Properties of Silicon Carbide:
- Low thermal expansion coefficient
- Tremendous thermal shock resistance
- Great hardness
- Refractive index higher than a diamond
- Semiconductor
- High thermal conductivity
Silicon Carbide Production Process:
- SiC can be extracted from grains or powder, they are formed from carbon reduction of silicon oxide (SiO2). It is produced either as a large bonded mass or fine powder, which is afterwards crushed in to small particles. For purification (silica is removed), it is washed with hydrofluoric acid (HF).
- Currently, there are three main methods of machining Silicon Carbide. The initial way is to blend silicon carbide powder with any other material such as metal or glass. Further, it is treated to allow the second phase to bond.
- Second method is to mix the powder with silicon metal or carbon powder, which is after that reaction bonded.