Silicon carbide

HCID 9863CAS 409-21-2

Basic information

Standard SMILES
[C-]#[Si+]
InChIKey
HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molecular formula
CSi
Average molar mass
40.096 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass
39.97692653

Overview

Silicon carbide appears as yellow to green to bluish-black, iridescent crystals. Sublimes with decomposition at 2700 °C. Density 3.21 g cm-3. Insoluble in water. Soluble in molten alkalis (NaOH, KOH) and molten iron.

Names & identifiers

Preferred name
Silicon carbide
IUPAC
methanidylidynesilanylium
English name
Silicon carbide
Molecular formula
CSi
Molecular weight
40.1

Names & synonyms

SILICON CARBIDE409-21-2CarborundumSilicon monocarbideCrystarBetarundumCarborundeumTokawhiskerCarbolonNicalonSilundumSilicon carbide (SiC)
Show more names
SiCBLACK SILICON CARBIDEnanopowderSimaxcarboniteBOILING CHIPSSilicon carbidSILICON CARBIDE BLACKua1
Carbon silicideGreen densicCarbofrax MBetarundum UFAnnanox CKBetarundum ST-SCrystolon 37Crystolon 39

Database identifiers

CAS
409-21-2
PubChem CID
9863
DTXSID
DTXSID5052751
ChEBI
CHEBI:29390
EC Number
206-991-8
Nikkaji
J1.627.380E

Properties

Computed structural properties

Topological polar surface area
0 Ų
Hydrogen bond donors
0
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1
Rotatable bonds
0
Heavy atoms
2

Experimental & physicochemical properties

Chemical ClassesMineral Dusts -> Other Mineral Dusts
SpringerMaterials Propertiesvalence band parameter
Density · 6 items

3.23 (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink

3.23

3.2 g/cm³

3.23

3.16 @25 °C

3.23

Color/Form · 3 items

EXCEEDINGLY HARD, GREEN TO BLUISH-BLACK, IRIDESCENT, SHARP CRYSTALS

HEXAGONAL OR CUBIC

Yellow to green to bluish black, iridescent crystals.

Solubility · 5 items

Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024)

INSOL IN COLD WATER, HOT WATER, & ACID; SOL IN FUSED POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

INSOL IN ALCOHOL; SOL IN MOLTEN IRON

Solubility in water: none

Insoluble

Boiling Point · 3 items

Sublimes (NIOSH, 2024)

sublimes

Sublimes

Physicochemical properties

Melting point
2700 °C · 2700 °C (lit.)
Density
3.22 g/mL · 3.22 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
bulk density
0.069 g/cm3 · 0.069g/cm3
refractive index
2.65 · 2.6500
solubility
Soluble in molten sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and in molten iron.
form
nanopowder

Safety & regulation

GHS classification

GHS Classification · 6 items

Danger

H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation [Danger Carcinogenicity]

P203, P280, P318, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 70.3% (740 of 1053) of all reports.

Danger

H350i (16.6%): May cause cancer by inhalation [Danger Carcinogenicity]

Hazard information

Regulatory Information · 6 items

Chemical: Silicon carbide (SiC)

Hazard Traits - Carcinogenicity

Hazard Traits - Carcinogenicity

Silicon carbide (SiC) is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Silicon carbide (SiC) are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 08-05-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/15540

Silicon carbide: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

Other Safety InformationIMAP assessments - Silicon carbide (SiC): Environment tier I assessment
Fire HazardsNot combustible.
Fire PotentialNONCOMBUSTIBLE
Health HazardsExcerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Silicon carbide:
Hazards Summary · 1 item

Production workers loading and unloading furnaces are exposed to carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, crystalline silica, and fibrous and nonfibrous silicon carbide particles. [Rom, p. 534-5] Workers in production and manufacturing, e.g., abrasive products industry, are exposed to varying quantities of fibers (or whiskers) that have dimensions similar to amphibole asbestos fibers. Nonfibrous particles have low to very low toxic effects on lung tissue. Silicon carbide fibers, on the other hand, can cause lung fibrosis, lung cancer, and possibly mesothelioma. Silicon carbide fibers should be counted and controlled in the same manner as asbestos fibers. [ACGIH] Occupational exposures associated with the Acheson process are carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). Fibrous silicon carbide is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Silicon carbide whiskers are probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). [IARC Vol. 111] See the agent, Acheson process, occupational exposure.

Safety & protection

Fire FightingIn case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.
First Aid Measures · 2 items

Fresh air, rest.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

First Aid · 2 items

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Silicon carbide:

(General first aid procedures)

Exposure Control and Personal Protection · 1 item

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

Cleanup MethodsWASTE SOLN CONTAINING HEAVY METALS & SILICON CARBIDE FROM METAL PLATING ARE MIXED WITH NONIONIC MATERIALS SUCH AS DIATOMACEOUS EARTH & A FLOCCULANT TO PPT SI CARBIDE. SUPERNATANT LIQ AFTER REMOVING PPT IS SAND-FILTERED & ION-EXCHANGED.
Spillage DisposalPersonal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers.

Toxicology

Target OrgansEyes, skin, respiratory system
Adverse EffectsFibrogenic - Inducing tissue injury and fibrosis (scarring).
Exposure Routesinhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Signs and Symptoms · 3 items

Cough.

Redness. Pain.

irritation eyes, skin, upper respiratory system; cough

Human Toxicity Excerpts · 5 items

SLIGHT RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES /OCCURRED/ IN 10 OF 32 WORKERS EXPOSED ... TO SILICON CARBIDE. MOST ... HAD WORKED FOR 15 YR OR MORE IN DUSTY ATMOSPHERES WITH AVG DUST COUNT OF 1200 PARTICLES/CC (34 MPPCF) & AVG PARTICLE DIAMETER OF 1 MICRON. ALL CASES WERE TUBERCULIN POS. THOSE PRESENTING PULMONARY CHANGES HAD ... SLIGHT RESP SYMPTOMS.

ACUTE LOCAL: INHALATION 1; IRRITANT 1. CHRONIC LOCAL: INHALATION 1. 1= SLIGHT: CAUSES READILY REVERSIBLE CHANGES WHICH DISAPPEAR AFTER END OF EXPOSURE.

Nuisance particulate (accumulation in lungs).

Silicon carbide can alter the course of inhalation tuberculosis leading to extensive fibrosis and progressive disease.

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for SILICON CARBIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Carcinogen Classification · 5 items

Silicon carbide whiskers

Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans

Volume 111: (2017) Some Nanomaterials and Some Fibres

2017

2014

Safety data

OEB
B
OEL
TWA: 10 mg/m3 (total)
PPE
dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves
wgk
3
tsca
TSCA listed
rtecs
VW0450000

Chemistry & industry

Pharmacology

MeSH Pharmacological ClassificationSynthetic or natural materials, other than DRUGS, that are used to replace or repair any body TISSUES or bodily function.

Uses & manufacturing

Uses · 5 items

Used as an abrasive and refractory material; Produced in furnaces containing petroleum coke and crystalline silica at a temperature of >2200 degrees C for 36 hours; [ACGIH]

Abrasive Blasting [Category: Clean]

Polishing glass, granite; smoothing bisque ware; in sharpening stones; abrasive;manufacture /of/ porcelain, "emery" paper and wheels, shoe soles, refractory brick, furnace linings; antiskid pavements; in semiconductor technology.

COMPONENT OF TREADS & BRAKE LININGS; COMPONENT OF HEATING ELEMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL FURNACES; FIBERS IN MATERIALS TO RESIST HIGH RE-ENTRY TEMPS & ROCKET NOZZLE COMPOSITES; COMPONENT OF THERMISTORS & VARISTORS; STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN NUCLEAR REACTORS; DEOXIDANT IN FERROUS METALLURGY.

Abrasive for cutting and grinding metals, grinding wheels, refractory in non-ferrous metallurgy, ceramic industry and boiler furnaces, composite tubes for steam reforming operations. Fibrous form used in filament-wound structures and heat-resistant, high-strength composites.

U.S. Exports · 2 items

(1972) 4.5X10+9 GRAMS

(1975) 5.79X10+8 GRAMS

U.S. Imports · 2 items

(1972) 9.7X10+10 GRAMS (CRUDE & REFINED)

(1975) 7.73X10+10 GRAMS (CRUDE)

U.S. Production · 3 items

2023: 5,000,000,000 - <10,000,000,000 lb

(1972) 1.49X10+11 GRAMS (CRUDE)

(1975) 1.22X10+11 GRAMS (CRUDE)

Consumer UsesOther
Industry UsesAlloys
Applications · 6 items

UsesSilicon carbide (SiC), nearly as hard as diamonds, is used as an abrasive in grinding wheels and metal-cutting tools, for lining furnaces, and as a refractory in producing nonferrous metals.

DescriptionSilicon carbide is a hard covalently bonded material predominantly produced by the carbothermal reduction of silica. Silicon carbide is made by heating silica sand and petroleum coke packed around electrodes in an electric resistance furnace to above 2200°C. Depending on the exact reaction conditions the resulting silicon carbide is either a fine powder or a bonded mass that requires crushing and milling to produce a usable feedstock. This material is very resistant to abrasion and to corrosion with a molten slag. It also has excellent resistance to thermal spalling. However as it is a carbide, it will oxidise readily, silicon carbide has a fairly high conductivity. Several hundred structures of silicon carbide (polytypes) have been identified which have different stacking arrangements for the silicon and carbon atoms. The simplest structure is a diamond structure which is designated /3-SiC. Other structures are either hexagonal or rhombic and are referred to as a-SiC.

UsesManufacture of abrasives and refractories, brake linings, heating elements, and thermistors.

Uses▼▲ Industry Application Role/benefit Abrasive machining processes Processing of glass, ceramic, stone, refractory, hard alloy, etc. Abrasive and cutting tools/durability and low cost Electronic Light-emitting diodes Component/electroluminescence property Semiconductor devices Component/has wide forbidden band (2.86 EV) and p and n two conductive types Electric systems Gapped SiC lightning arresters Resistance/voltage-dependent property Sic switches and SiC Schottky diodes Raw material/anti high-temperature and high-voltage properties Ceramics Hard ceramics used for composite armor, bulletproof vests, etc. Raw material/low density and high strength Temperature ceramics Raw material/has high intensity at High temperature Astronomy Astronomical telescopes Mirror material/low thermal expansion coefficient, high hardness, rigidity and thermal conductivity Aerospace Gas filter and combustion chamber nozzle Raw material/anti high-temperature property Silicon carbide fibre Reinforcing of metal,resin,alloy,glass,etc. Reinforcing material/helps to improve all kinds of features Heat shield material, high temperature filter cloth and conveyor belt <di

UsesSilicon carbide is widely used as an abrasive in grinding and cutting glasses; in polishing glass and sharpening stones. It is used in the manufacture of porcelain, refractory brick, furnace linings, and emery paper. The compound also is used in semiconductor technology.

General DescriptionYellow to green to bluish-black, iridescent crystals. Sublimes with decomposition at 2700°C. Density 3.21 g cm-3. Insoluble in water. Soluble in molten alkalis (NaOH, KOH) and molten iron.

Preparation methods · 1 item

PreparationSilicon carbide is prepared by fusing a mixture of silica (sand) and carbon (coke) with some salt and saw dust in an electric arc furnace at 3000°C. SiO2(Sand)+3C(Coke)--(3000℃)--Sic+2CO Salt and saw dust is added to infuse air into the product so that it can be broken into pieces easily. The product obtained is first washed with strong acid followed by strong base to remove basic and acidic impurities respectively. Finally, it is washed with water.

Suppliers50 total

国药集团化学试剂有限公司86-21-63210123 · [email protected]
北京华美互利生物化工010-56205725 · [email protected]
上海阿拉丁生化科技股份有限公司400-6206333 13167063860 · [email protected]
Shandong chuangyingchemical Co., Ltd.18853181302 · [email protected]
上海康朗生物科技有限公司021-61998208 18217752821 · [email protected]
Additional notes · 1 item

DefinitionBluish-black, iridescent crystals. Insoluble in water and alcohol; soluble in fused alkalies and molten iron. Excellent thermal conductivity, electrically conductive, resists oxida- tion at high temperatures. Noncombustible, a nui- sance particulate.

Related reactions

17 records

Linked notes

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