Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide, also referred to as SiC, is comprised of silicon and carbon. Due to that combination, silicon carbide is an extremely hard abrasive grain. Silicon carbide’s hardness falls around 9 on the Mohs scale.
Black silicon carbide is the most commonly used silicon carbide abrasive media. It is produced in electrical internal resistance furnaces from high-purity silica sand and petroleum coke. Its combination of being very hard and sharp makes it is a very aggressive abrasive ideal for many applications. It is highly friable and reusable.
Green silicon carbide is made from the purest crystals that occur during the furnace process. Like black silicon carbide, it is a very aggressive abrasive that is ideal for many applications. Green silicon carbide is a better choice for when a higher purity is required.
Applications:
- Matte surface finishing
- Metal removal
- Lapping
- Cleaning and etching very hard sub-surfaces
- Grinding
- Wire saw cutting
- Applications when the work piece would be brazed or welding after blasting
Physical Characteristics:
- Hardness – around 9.5 on the Mohs scale (close to diamond)
- Aggressive
- Highly friable
- Low density
- Low thermal expansion
- Excellent resistance to oxidation and chemicals
