Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the hardest technical ceramics available. For many years it was second only to diamond on the Mohs scale, and to date, sintered silicon carbide remains both a competitive and supplementary material for abrasive synthetic diamonds. Combined with its high thermal conductivity and superb corrosion resistant properties, silicon carbide ceramics are workhorse materials for challenging application areas.
At International Syalons, we offer high-performance silicon carbide ceramics via reaction bonding and sintering. Each manufacturing technique yields a precision zero-porosity ceramic with exceptional resistance to chemical attack and good high-temperature properties. These result from a robust atomic structure with carbon and silicon forming a strong tetrahedral lattice. The advantages of this include:
- Unmatched hardness (2600 Kg/mm2)
- Superior thermal conductivity (150 W/(mK))
- Moderate thermal shock resistance (ΔT = 400°C)
- Good flexural strength at high temperatures (450 MPa at 1000°C)
Sintered silicon carbide is engineered via conventional means, using non-oxide sintering aids and high-temperature forming process in inert atmospheres. Reaction bonding differs in that additional silicon is made to infiltrate the green body to form additional SiC grains that bond with the primary ceramic. The latter is typically used to increase thermal shock resistance.
Explore our silicon carbide products below where you will find full specifications and a table detailing comprehensive behaviours in acids and alkalis. If you would like to learn about specific SiC components, or the industries that we serve, just contact a member of the International Syalons team today.
Sycarb 10
The table below lists typical mechanical, thermal and electrical property data for Sycarb 10.
Physical property data for Sycarb 10
| Property | Value | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | SSiC | - |
| Density | 3.15 | g/cc |
| Porosity | 0 | % |
| 3 point Modulus of Rupture 20°C (Specimen 3 × 3 × 50mm, span 19.05mm) |
450 | MPa |
| 3 point Modulus of Rupture 1000°C | 450 | MPa |
| Weibull Modulus | 12 | - |
| Compressive Strength | 3500 | MPa |
| Young's Modulus of Elasticity | 410 | GPa |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.21 | - |
| Hardness (Vickers Hv50) | 25.50 (2600) | GPa (Kg/mm2) |
| Fracture Toughness K1C | 4.0 | MPa m½ |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient (0-1200°C) | 4.4X10-6 | K-1 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 150 | W/(mK) |
| Thermal Shock Resistance | 350 | ΔT°C quenched in cold water |
| Maximum Use Temperature | 1400 | °C |
| RT Electrical Resistivity | 104 | ohm cm |
Typical physical property data obtained under test conditions. All properties have been measured by independent testing authorities. The values given only apply to the test bodies on which they were determined, and therefore can only be recommended values. See our disclaimer.
Sycarb 20
The table below lists typical mechanical, thermal and electrical property data for Sycarb 20.
Physical property data for Sycarb 20
| Property | Value | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | SiSiC | - |
| Density | 3.10 | g/cc |
| Porosity | 0 | % |
| 3 point Modulus of Rupture 20°C (Specimen 3 × 3 × 50mm, span 19.05mm) |
420 | MPa |
| 3 point Modulus of Rupture 1000°C | 420 | MPa |
| Weibull Modulus | 15 | - |
| Compressive Strength | 2600 | MPa |
| Young's Modulus of Elasticity | 400 | GPa |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.20 | - |
| Hardness (Vickers Hv50) | 23.54 (2400) | GPa (Kg/mm2) |
| Fracture Toughness K1C | 4.0 | MPa m½ |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient (0-1200°C) | 4.3X10-6 | K-1 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 110 | W/m/K |
| Thermal Shock Resistance | 400 | ΔT°C quenched in cold water |
| Maximum Use Temperature | 1400 | °C |
| RT Electrical Resistivity | 102 | ohm cm |
Typical physical property data obtained under test conditions. All properties have been measured by independent testing authorities. The values given only apply to the test bodies on which they were determined, and therefore can only be recommended values. See our disclaimer.
Download the Sycarb 20 Property Data Sheet PDF (0.09 Mb).
Sycarb Corrosion Behaviour
In addition to this outstanding property data, Sycarb also has excellent resistance to corrosion, often required for applications in the chemical and process industries.
The table below show the corrosion resistant behaviour of Sycarb in various acids and alkalis.
Sycarb corrosion behaviour in acids and alkalis.
| Acid/Alkali | Conc. % | Temp. | Exposure time / hrs | Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 100 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Benzoic Acid | 100 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Formic Acid | 100 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 33 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Hydrofluric Acid | 100 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Nitric Acid | 69 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Phosphoric Acid | 100 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Sulphuric Acid | 98 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Ammonium Chloride | 98 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Potassium Chloride | 100 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Sodium Chloride | 100 | Boiling | 100 | None |
| Sodium hydroxide | 50 | Boiling | 100 | None |
Typical corrosion data obtained under test conditions. The values given only apply to the test bodies on which they were determined, and therfore can only be recommended values. See our disclaimer.
The successful integration of advanced technical ceramics into engineering systems requires close collaboration between you, the end-user, and ourselves, the material suppliers. Please contact our Technical Department to discuss your requirments in detail and assist in exploiting the significant advantages which 0ur advanced ceramics offer.
In addition, see our resources section for guides on designing with ceramics and more property data comparing Sycarb with other engineering ceramics. For a comparison of the physical properties of all our materials see our Material Properties Datasheet.
