Silicon Carbide (SiC)

Ceramics materials

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a synthetic, semiconducting fine ceramic that excels in a wide cross-section of industrial markets. Manufacturers benefit from an eclectic offering of silicon carbide grades due to the availability of both high-density and open porous structures. Combined with the material’s outstanding high-temperature strength and thermal shock resistance, alongside inherently impressive mechanical properties, silicon carbide is one of the most versatile refractory ceramics worldwide.

Silicon Carbide: Grades, Formats & Bonding Types

Saint-Gobain has spent years developing a uniquely broad understanding of the thermomechanical and chemical properties of silicon carbide ceramics developed via numerous distinct manufacturing avenues. As a result, Saint-Gobain has now positioned itself as one of the foremost silicon carbide ceramic suppliers worldwide. With a selection of industry-trusted products on offer, Saint-Gobain routinely services demanding application areas with uniquely tailored solutions.

Sintered SiC

Sintered Silicon Carbide SiSiC, like Saint-Gobain’s proprietary Hexoloy® brand, is produced at extremely high temperatures (~2,000°C) in inert atmospheres using a range of forming methodologies, including dry-pressing and extrusion. Reaction bonded, or siliconized, silicon carbide is formed using a porous carbon feedstock and molten silicon via additive forming, casting or extrusion. Each of these fully-densified silicon carbide ceramics achieves exceptional chemical and mechanical properties in extreme end-use temperatures exceeding 1,400°C (2,552°F).

 

Our brands based on Sintered Silicon Carbide:

 
Carbal 130
 
Crystar® RB
 
Hexoloy® CG
 
Hexoloy® SB70
 
Hexoloy® SB50
Siliconized SiC

Reaction bonded, or siliconized, is formed using a porous carbon feedstock and molten silicon via additive forming, casting or extrusion. Each of these fully-densified silicon carbide ceramics achieves exceptional chemical and mechanical properties in extreme end-use temperatures exceeding 1,400°C (2,552°F).

 
Amasic 3D®
 
Hammerfrax®
Recrystallized SiC
Recrystallized Silicon Carbide SiC are advanced engineered ceramics which can be cast or extruded into a wide variety of flat and elongated shapes, such as plates, tubes or beams. The material is consolidated at temperatures above 2000°C (3992°F) through a sublimation and condensation process of fine silicon carbide particles. Thanks to the high material purity (SiC > 99.5%), it benefits from the exceptional inherent thermal, chemical and mechanical properties of silicon carbide.
 
Crystar® FT
 
Crystar® 2000
 
Crystar® 3000
Silicon Oxynitride Silicon Carbide
 
Annacarbid 94
 
Carbofrax®
 
Carbofrax® 50
 
Carbofrax® A
 
Carbofrax® M
 
Carbofrax® D 1552
 
Carbofrax® G5
 
CN 806
 
CN 790
 
Cryston® CU Max
 
Cryston® Max
 
Cryston® X-Treme
 
Crystolon®
 
SiC 85 P
 
SiC 95
Nitride bonded Silicon Carbide
 
Advancal
 
N-Durance®
 
AnnaSicon 24
 
AnnaSicon 25
 
Cast Refrax®
 
CN 137
 
CN 159
 
Cryston®
 
Cryston® CU
 
Cryston® TW
 
Cryston® ZN
 
Refrax®
 
Refrax® 20
 
Refrax® 20 SBF
 
Refrax® 2820
 
Refrax® ARC
 
Refrax® Basic
 
Refrax® Plus
 
Refrax® SBF
 
Refrax® Top
 
RFX 20
SiAlON Silicon Carbide
 
Sicanit AL3
 
Sicanit TM

Manufacturing Hexoloy®

How do we make Hexoloy® ceramic material?

Forming

Economical forming is determined by volume and tolerances of the final part. Dry pressing to size is the most economical forming method for volumes of 300 pieces or more, which help to justify the initial expense of tooling designed specifically for each part. Isostatic pressing is suited to low volumes and prototype items. 

 

Pre-Sinter (Green) Machining

Machining in the pre-sintered, or green, state is often desirable because it allows manufacturing of finished shapes without expensive grinding of sintered material. Green machining is accomplished using conventional processes. Stock removal can be accomplished 15 times faster in the green state than in the sintered state. Green machining provides parts to tolerances of 0.5 percent to 1.0 percent of their final dimensions. Typical green machined surface finishes range around 32 to 64 microinches.

 

Grinding / Finishing

Precision grinding capabilities have been developed to meet the exacting specification requirements requested by the automotive, aerospace and nuclear industries.  Saint-Gobain has the expertise to grind to close tolerances on most shapes (.0005").  Typical ground parts hold finishes of 16 or better microinches.  When surface finishes are critical to improve friction and wear performance, finsihing operations can improve surfaces up to 4 microinches providing surface flatnesses to one helium light band.  

 

Quality Assurance

Our company mission is to maintain the highest level of quality for our customers. Saint-Gobain has state-of-the-art nondestructive evaluation equipment for final quality inspections of internal structures. These include bulk and surface wave ultrasonics, fluorescent dye penetrant, radiography, acoustic emission and photomicrography.