silicon carbide, chemical compound, SiC, that forms extremely
hard, dark, iridescent crystals that are insoluble in water and
other common solvents. Widely used as an abrasive, it is
marketed under such familiar trade names as Carborundum and
Crystolon. It is heat resistant, decomposing when heated to
about 2,700°C; it is used in refractory materials, e.g., rods,
tubes, firebrick, and in special parts for nuclear reactors.
Very pure silicon carbide is white or colorless; crystals of it
are used in semiconductors for high-temperature applications.
Silicon carbide fibers, added as reinforcement to plastics or
light metals, impart increased strength and stiffness. Silicon
carbide is prepared commercially by fusing sand and coke in an
electric furnace at temperatures above 2,200°C; a flux, e.g.,
sodium chloride, may be added to eliminate impurities. Silicon
carbide was discovered (1891) by E. G. Acheson; early studies of
it were made by Henri Moissan. The Columbia Electronic
Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012