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SILICON CARBIDE
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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.

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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.

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Sycarb 10

The table below lists typical mechanical, thermal and electrical property data for Sycarb 10.

Sycarb 10 - Physical Property Data

PROPERTY
VALUE
UNITS
Composition
SSiC
-
Density
3.15
g/cc
Porosity
0
%
3-point MOR at 20°C ⁺
450
MPa
Weibull Modulus
12
-
Compressive Strength
3500
MPa
Young's Modulus
410
GPa
Poisson's Ratio
0.21
-
Hardness (HRA)
-
-
Hardness (Vickers Hv50)
25.50 (2600)
GPa (Kg/mm²)
Fracture Toughness (K₁c)
4.0
MPa m½
Thermal Expansion Coefficient
4.4x10⁻⁶
K⁻¹
Thermal Conductivity
150
W/(mK)
Thermal Shock Resistance
350
ΔT°C
Maximum Use Temperature
1400
°C
Electrical Resistivity
10⁴
Ω cm
⁺ Modulus of rupture specimen 3 × 3 × 50mm, span 19.05mm
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.
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Sycarb 20

The table below lists typical mechanical, thermal and electrical property data for Sycarb 20.

Sycarb 20 - Physical Property Data

PROPERTY
VALUE
UNITS
Composition
SiSiC
-
Density
3.10
g/cc
Porosity
0
%
3-point MOR at 20°C ⁺
420
MPa
Weibull Modulus
15
-
Compressive Strength
>2600
MPa
Young's Modulus
400
GPa
Poisson's Ratio
0.20
-
Hardness (HRA)
-
-
Hardness (Vickers Hv50)
23.54 (2400)
GPa (Kg/mm²)
Fracture Toughness (K₁c)
4.0
MPa m½
Thermal Expansion Coefficient
4.3x10⁻⁶
K⁻¹
Thermal Conductivity
110
W/(mK)
Thermal Shock Resistance
400
ΔT°C
Maximum Use Temperature
1400
°C
Electrical Resistivity
10²
Ω cm
⁺ Modulus of rupture specimen 3 × 3 × 50mm, span 19.05mm
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.
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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
Hydrofluoric 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
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The successful integration of advanced technical ceramics into engineering systems requires close collaboration between you, the end-user, and ourselves, the material manufacturer. Please call +44(0)191 2951010 or email for an initial consultation with our technical sales team, or send us a Request for Quote.

In addition, see our resources section for guides on designing with ceramics and more property data comparing silicon carbide with other engineering ceramics. For a comparison of the physical properties of all our materials see our Material Properties Datasheet.