reaction bonded silicon carbide

A Complete Guide to Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide

Reaction bonded silicon carbide is also known as SiSiC or siliconized silicon carbide. This material is produced with the help of a chemical reaction between graphite or porous carbon with melted silicon.  A few traces of silicon are left over after the chemical reaction that’s why it is often called siliconized silicon carbide (SiSiC). It has excellent resistance against chemical, wear, abrasion, corrosion, and oxidation. The strength of reaction bonded silicon carbide is approximately 50% greater than most of the nitrate bonded silicon carbides. SiSiC can be produced in various shapes, including sleeve and cone shapes and silicon carbide nozzle in addition to more complicated engineered pieces that can be used in the transformation of raw materials.

Silicon carbide is mainly used in metallurgy, refractories, and abrasives such as silicon carbide bricks. Plus, it is also utilized in structural applications that require high stiffness or high temperature strength to weight ratios. Reaction bonded silicon carbide has resulted from the high demand for energy-efficient engines as well as the requirement to replace captious metals.

Although, it is possible to densify silicon carbide with high pressure and temperature but the procedure is not a feasible commercial procedure. SiSiC is made by a chemical reaction between liquid silicon and carbon. Silicon and carbon react to form silicon carbide. This reaction bonds the particles of silicon carbide. Any additional silicon fills up the leftover pores and yields a densified SiC-Si compound.

The ratio of carbon to SiC and particle size allocation varies greatly in practice. Products are manufactured with a broad range of properties and compositions. Most of the reaction bonded silicon carbides are produced with compositions that have organic plasticizer, silicon carbide, and carbon particles. This mixture can best form the desired composition by pressing, extruding, or injection molding. Manufacturers have good command over component tolerances since the chemical reaction generally provides <1% dimensional change.

Key Properties

The properties of SiC components rely on material grade. For a completely densified reaction bonded silicon carbide composite, its material indicates good bending strength at the room temperature that is maintained at 1410 degree Celsius, which is the melting temperature of silicon. Sintered sic has less silicon which has better function,but price is much higher.The properties responsible for the election of material are listed below:

·         wear resistance

·         corrosion resistance

·         oxidation resistance

·         abrasion resistance

·         chemical resistance

·         resistance to thermal shock due to high thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion coefficient

·         excellent dimensional command of complicated shapes

·         tolerance to different alkalis and acids

Markets of SiSiC

·         Mining

·         Petrochemical

·         Power generation

·         Chemical

Advantages of Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide

There are several benefits of using reaction bonded silicon carbide. Reaction bonded silicon carbide is much cheaper than sintered silicon carbide.Some of the most obvious benefits of siliconized silicon carbide are mentioned below.

1.      The implication of large-scale scratch resistant ceramic technology.

2.      Best for applications involving big shapes where the grade of SiC is showing abrasive or wear damage from the effect of big particles.

3.      Resistant to unequivocal encroachment of light particles in addition to impact and sagging abrasion of bulky solids enclosing slurries.