Critical Applications for Silicon Carbide Rods
Efficiency and longevity of equipment are paramount in high-temperature industrial processes. Furnace operations are particularly reliant on long-service life materials to ensure minimal downtime and maximum returns on investment. Insulating materials are thus highly specialized to individual furnace formats.
In high-temperature processing, the pursuit of materials that can withstand intense conditions is relentless. Within this context, silicon carbide rods are ideal. Their properties render them highly wear-resistant, a trait further embellished by a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity. But what truly makes these rods exceptional?
A Deep Dive into Silicon Carbide (SiC)
Saint-Gobain Performance Refractories and Ceramics, supply silicon carbide rods under the Hexoloy® brand. These sintered rods are available in SA and SE grades, generally ranging in diameter from 3.18 to 13.46mm. Each grade offers exceptional chemical, mechanical, and thermal stability, and are ideal for precision components. Saint-Gobain customers have deployed Hexoloy® rods in a range of specialty applications, including:
- Precision components in furnaces
- Testing equipment
- Mechanical test fixtures
- Semiconductor wafer processing equipment
Specialty Silicon Carbide Rod Applications
Positioning Pins
In welding, silicon carbide rods are utilized as positioning pins due to their remarkable strength, thermal stability, and wear resistance. These properties make them ideal for maintaining precise alignment of components during the welding process, especially in high-temperature environments where metal pins might deform. SiC's thermal resilience ensures that the pins do not warp under intense heat, maintaining the accuracy of component positioning.
Additionally, the hardness and wear resistance of SiC minimizes abrasion and deformation, ensuring the pins can be used repeatedly without losing their shape or effectiveness. This combination of high strength, durability, and thermal stability makes SiC rods an essential tool in precise welding operations, particularly in industries where high-performance materials and exact tolerances are the norm.
Extensometers
Silicon carbide rods are integral to extensometers for their exceptional stiffness, minimal creep, and robust thermal stability, essential for precise deformation measurements in material testing. The inherent rigidity and stability of SiC rods facilitate high-precision measurements, crucial in scenarios where accurate monitoring of material behavior under stress is vital, ensuring reliable and consistent data in critical material research and testing scenarios.
Spray coatings
Silicon carbide rods are ideal for thermal spray applications where coatings require exceptional hardness, thermal conductivity, and thermal shock resistance. The rods are heated to a very high temperature, typically using flame heating or plasma, then sprayed onto a substrate where it rapidly cools and solidifies. This process ensures a highly uniform surface finish that considerably elevates the substrate’s robustness. SiC coatings add enormous value to parts in demanding sectors. It offers excellent tribological properties for safety critical parts like wind turbine bearings and can extend the life and efficiency of blades in gas turbines. The applications of SiC coatings are extensive. Thus, the applicability of silicon carbide rods is, too
A Word from Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories
We at Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories are proud pioneers of silicon carbide rods materials. Through relentless innovation, we've sculpted solutions that have redefined industries. Delve deeper into how silicon carbide rods can redefine your processes. Your pursuit for excellence resonates with our ethos; together, we can sculpt the future.
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