Silicon Carbide occurs in nature only as the extremely rare mineral moissanite. Synthetic Silicon Carbide has been mass-produced since 1893 for use as an abrasive.
Silicon Carbide (SiC) is produced at a high temperature in an electrical resistance arc furnace with quartz (silica) and petroleum coke (carbon) as its primary raw materials. The final product is sharp and friable with outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity properties. The material formed in the furnace varies in purity based on its distance from the heat source. Colorless, pale yellow, and green crystals have the highest purity and are found closest to the heat source. The color changes to blue and black at greater distance from the source, and these darker crystals are less pure.
GNPGraystar sells Silicon Carbide in various sizes and levels of purity.
