Usage Of Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide is a compound consisting of one carbon atom and one silicon atom, containing 70% silicon and 30% carbon (by weight). It was discovered by accident by Edward G. Acheson while making synthetic diamonds. It was originally used as an abrasive because of its hardness and ability to cut glass, metal and other materials. Since it does not oxidize at almost any temperature, it can be used as a refractory. Because it is also very stable at high temperatures, it is widely used as kiln fillers. Because of its resistance to slag erosion, it can be used as slag line brick in aluminum smelting furnace and blast furnace. Since it dissolves in slag, the carbon and silicon atoms will be released as charged ions (C-4 and Si+4), so it is an effective deoxidizer widely used in electric furnace steelmaking.