Silicon carbide is a type of ceramic material that has a high level of hardness when compared to other ceramic materials. Silicon carbide material has a high hardness but its specific gravity is lighter than ceramics from alumina material.
Also known as carborundum is a derivative of silicon compound with the molecular formula SiC, formed by covalent bonds between the elements Si and C. Silicon carbide is one of the most important non-oxide ceramic materials, produced on a large scale in powder form, in the form of molds, and thin layers.
SiC also has important properties such as superior oxidation resistance, excellent creep resistance, high hardness, good mechanical strength, good corrosion and erosion resistance, and relatively low weight. SiC raw material is also relatively inexpensive and can be made in complex shapes, which allows it to be circumvented through conventional fabrication processes.
Silicon carbide (SIC) is made from quartz sand, petroleum coke (or coal charcoal), and sawdust by high-temperature smelting in a refractory furnace. Silicon carbide is also a rare mineral in nature, Moissanite.
Silicon carbide is one of the most widely used and economical high-tech non-oxide refractory materials such as C, N, and B. It can be called steel sand or refractory sand. Silicon carbide is made from quartz sand, petroleum coke (or coal coke), sawdust (salt is added when green silicon carbide is produced), and other raw materials by high-temperature smelting in durable furnaces.
Properties of silicon carbide
Its molecular formula is SiC. Its hardness is between corundum and diamond, and its mechanical strength is higher than that of corundum. Can be used as abrasives and other industrial materials. Silicon carbide for industrial use was successfully developed in 1891, which is the earliest artificial abrasive.
Although small amounts of silicon carbide are present in meteorites and the Earth’s crust, no ore sources have been found for mining. Pure silicon carbide is a colorless and transparent crystal. Industrial silicon carbide is light yellow, green, blue, and even black due to different types and impurities.
The uses of silicon carbide ceramics in different industries
As far as potency is concerned, silicon carbide ceramics are the most mature choice. Many indicators are much better than silicon. For example, it has a 300% higher bandwidth. In addition, the theoretical operating temperature of this material is 600 Celsius.
The following is about the different uses of this material.
- Electric vehicle
These modules can have sustainable, intelligent, low-carbon, and green development, we can say that the advantages of this material are mainly reflected in the following three aspects.
- Simplify the power supply network and increase the frequency
- Increase temperature and reduce losses
- Increase efficiency and reduce the volume
As far as power conversion is concerned, components made of silicon carbide can help improve performance. In the electric model, the active load-bearing component is the electric motor. These motors have different rotating speeds. Therefore, this bike requires repeated acceleration and acceleration during the driving process.
- Transmission System
If you have a silicon-based device, your best bet is a switch made of silicon carbide. This is because this material has a very low resistance. Therefore, it is an ideal choice for applications involving high frequencies and temperatures.
That’s because this material can reduce power loss by up to five hundred percent. In addition, it is possible to reduce the weight and size by more than 40%.
- Solar Energy Field
If you are looking for the best material to use in a solar inverter, silicon carbide is the ideal choice. It comes with a small size, reduced cost, and much higher efficiency. Usually, the conversion efficiency of this inverter is about 96%.
But if silicon carbide is used, it is possible to increase the efficiency up to 97.5%. In other words, these devices can help generate a power loss of 25%. In addition, this inverter can help to significantly improve conversion efficiency.
- LED light
Currently, the popularity of LED devices that use silicon carbide is on the rise. Because these LEDs are much brighter and can reduce costs by up to 50%. They are 200% brighter than other types of lamps.
That’s the discussion about the use of Silicon Carbide Ceramics in different industries.
