Silicon carbide has been recognised as an important structural ceramic material because of its unique combination of properties. It is a promising ceramic material that can replace conventional metals and ionic-bonded oxide ceramics such as alumina.
Structure of Silicon carbide
Silicon carbide is a compound of silicon, a metalloid, and carbon, a nonmetal, and has a giant molecular lattice structure. It has a similar structure with diamond. Each carbon atom is joined tetrahedrally to four silicon atoms by strong covalent bonds, and each silicon atom is joined tetrahedrally to four carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds. This network is repeated and forms a giant molecule. Hence, Silicon carbide has a giant molecular structure similar to diamond.
Properties of Silicon carbide
There are strong covalent bonds (electrostatic force of attraction) between the silicon and carbon atoms throughout the giant molecular lattice structure. Large amount of energy is required to break these bonds, resulting in these properties of silicon carbide. High …show more content…
The atoms have a small atomic weight difference. Therefore, the lattice vibrations easily become harmonic, allowing heat to be conducted quickly and more easily.
Applications of Silicon carbide
High-temperature applications
As Silicon carbide is strong and highly heat resistant, it is used in high-temperature applications, such as to make parts for gas-turbine engines, that can withstand extreme variations in temperature. It is used to make ceramic brake discs for sports cars and bulletproof vests as an armor material. Silicon carbide is also used as a support and shelving material in high temperature kilns such as firing ceramics, glass fusing, or glass casting
Abrasive and cutting tools
Silicon carbide is used for its hardness and high wear resistance in abrasive machining processes like grinding, honing, sand blasting and water jet cutting
Engineering
Structure of Silicon carbide
Silicon carbide is a compound of silicon, a metalloid, and carbon, a nonmetal, and has a giant molecular lattice structure. It has a similar structure with diamond. Each carbon atom is joined tetrahedrally to four silicon atoms by strong covalent bonds, and each silicon atom is joined tetrahedrally to four carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds. This network is repeated and forms a giant molecule. Hence, Silicon carbide has a giant molecular structure similar to diamond.
Properties of Silicon carbide
There are strong covalent bonds (electrostatic force of attraction) between the silicon and carbon atoms throughout the giant molecular lattice structure. Large amount of energy is required to break these bonds, resulting in these properties of silicon carbide. High …show more content…
The atoms have a small atomic weight difference. Therefore, the lattice vibrations easily become harmonic, allowing heat to be conducted quickly and more easily.
Applications of Silicon carbide
High-temperature applications
As Silicon carbide is strong and highly heat resistant, it is used in high-temperature applications, such as to make parts for gas-turbine engines, that can withstand extreme variations in temperature. It is used to make ceramic brake discs for sports cars and bulletproof vests as an armor material. Silicon carbide is also used as a support and shelving material in high temperature kilns such as firing ceramics, glass fusing, or glass casting
Abrasive and cutting tools
Silicon carbide is used for its hardness and high wear resistance in abrasive machining processes like grinding, honing, sand blasting and water jet cutting
Engineering