Alpha Silicon Carbide (SiC)

Covalent ceramic with extreme hardness and high thermal conductivity.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Edward Acheson first mass-produced it in 1891 by electrically heating sand and coke, selling the product as the abrasive Carborundum.
• It does not melt at ambient pressure, decomposing near 2,700 °C, and conducts heat better than many metals at 120-270 W/m·K.
• Sintered SiC forms lightweight armor strike faces, pump seal rings, and the 3.5-meter monolithic mirror of ESA's Herschel space telescope.

Specifications & Metrics

• DENSITY: 3.21 g/cm³
• YIELD STRENGTH: 3900 MPa (Comp)
• HARDNESS: 2800 HV