Silicon Carbide is a man made mineral of extreme hardness and sharpness. It is the ideal abrasive for grinding / sanding materials of low tensile strength such as Cast Iron, Brass, Aluminum, Bronze etc. Its thermal properties make it an excellent medium for use in the manufacture of refractory products and crucibles.
Silicon Carbide is produced by a process involving the electrochemical reaction of silica – in the form of quartz with Carbon in the form of raw petroleum coke. The stoichiometric mixture is reacted in an electrical resistance furnace at a temperature greater than 2200?C to yield high quality crystals. The large crystals are then segregated, crushed, cleaned of magnetic impurities in high intensity magnetic separators and classified into narrow size fractions to suit the end use. Dedicated lines produce products for different applications.
Silicon Carbide Grains are also used in marble and granite polishing, manufacture of Kiln furniture and as a deoxidizer in Iron and steel making.