Silicon Carbide Parts: A Complete Guide for Engineers and Designers

Silicon carbide (SiC) parts are high-performance components. They are made from one of the hardest and most durable man-made materials. These advanced ceramic parts are vital in industries where standard materials fail. They offer amazing benefits like great hardness, stability at high temperatures, and resistance to wear and chemicals. This 2026 guide will cover the properties, types, uses, and selection steps for these key components.

Key Takeaways

• Silicon carbide (SiC) is an advanced ceramic known for extreme hardness. It is second only to diamond.
• Its key benefits include high-temperature strength. It also has excellent wear and corrosion resistance, plus good thermal shock resistance.
• The main types are Sintered (SSiC), Reaction-Bonded (RBSiC), and CVD SiC. Each is suited for different applications and budgets.
• Common uses for silicon carbide parts include semiconductor equipment, mechanical seals, pump components, and kiln furniture.
• Selecting the right SiC part requires careful review. You must consider temperature, chemical exposure, mechanical stress, and cost.

Why Choose Silicon Carbide?

Engineers choose silicon carbide parts when other materials cannot handle the job. The unique properties of SiC provide major performance advantages in tough conditions. Understanding these properties helps you see why it is a top choice for demanding uses.

• Hardness & Wear Resistance: Silicon carbide is incredibly hard. It scores around 9 to 9.5 on the Mohs scale. Diamond is a 10. This means SiC parts last much longer in environments with a lot of friction or abrasion. Examples include nozzles and seals.
• High Thermal Conductivity & Low Thermal Expansion: SiC can move heat away quickly. It also does not expand or shrink much when temperatures change fast. This combination gives it excellent resistance to thermal shock. This prevents cracks. It is ideal for heat exchangers and furnace parts.
• Superior High-Temperature Strength: Most metals get weak when they get very hot. But silicon carbide parts stay strong. They keep their strength at temperatures over 1400°C. This makes them perfect for use inside furnaces and engines.
• Excellent Chemical & Corrosion Resistance: SiC does not react with most strong acids or bases. This chemical inertness makes it a perfect material for equipment in the chemical processing industry. In this industry, parts are exposed to harsh substances.
• Low Density: Even though it is very strong and hard, SiC is also lightweight. It is much lighter than steel or other high-strength metals. This is a big benefit in aerospace and automotive applications. In these fields, reducing weight is important.

Types of SiC Parts & Manufacturing

Not all silicon carbide is the same. The way a part is made changes its properties and what it can be used for. Knowing the main types helps you match the right material to your specific need. The three most common types are Sintered SiC (SSiC), Reaction-Bonded SiC (RBSiC), and CVD SiC.

Each type has unique strengths. For example, the high purity of some silicon carbide parts is achieved through specialized CVD production methods. This makes them ideal for sensitive industries like semiconductor manufacturing.

Feature	Sintered SiC (SSiC)	Reaction-Bonded SiC (RBSiC/SiSiC)	CVD SiC
Manufacturing Process	SiC powder is pressed and heated to a high temp.	A mix of SiC and carbon is infused with liquid Si.	Gases react to deposit a layer of pure SiC.
Purity	High (over 98%)	Contains free silicon (10-15%)	Ultra-high purity (over 99.999%)
Porosity	Very low, almost zero.	Non-porous, no open pores.	Non-porous, completely dense.
Max Service Temp.	~1600°C	~1350°C (limited by silicon’s melting point)	~1600°C
Key Strengths	Best corrosion resistance, high strength.	Good for complex shapes, lower cost.	Highest purity, very uniform surface.
Common Applications	Chemical pump seals, bearings, valve parts.	Kiln furniture, nozzles, wear liners.	Semiconductor wafer chucks, process chamber parts.

Key Applications for SiC Parts

The versatility of silicon carbide allows it to be used across many high-tech industries. Its properties solve problems that metal or plastic components cannot. The wide range of main uses of silicon carbide shows how valuable this material is.

Semiconductor and Electronics

In the clean rooms of semiconductor plants, purity and stability are everything. Silicon carbide parts are essential here.

• Wafer handling parts like chucks, rings, and pins
• Process chamber components and liners
• High-purity industrial ceramic components for these environments are essential.

Fluid Handling & Mechanical Parts

For pumps and valves that move abrasive or corrosive fluids, SiC provides long life and reliability.

• Mechanical seals and bearings for pumps
• Valve components for harsh fluids. These parts are often made as precise ceramic rings or strong ceramic valves. They are key for system uptime.
• Nozzles for spraying abrasive materials

Automotive and Aerospace

In vehicles and spacecraft, performance and low weight are critical. SiC delivers on both.

• High-performance brake discs and clutch parts
• Lightweight mirrors for satellites and telescopes
• Components for next-generation engines

High-Temperature Processes

Industries that use furnaces and kilns rely on silicon carbide’s ability to withstand extreme heat.

• Kiln furniture, including beams, rollers, and plates
• Burner nozzles and radiant tubes that heat furnaces
• Thermocouple protection tubes

A Guide to Selecting the Right Silicon carbide Parts

Choosing the right sic part is crucial for success. A wrong choice can lead to early failure and costly downtime. From our experience, the first step is always to define the operating environment in detail. A common mistake is to pay for extreme hardness when thermal shock is the real problem.

Here is a practical checklist to guide your decision in 2026.

1. What is the Maximum Operating Temperature? This is the first question to ask. If your process runs above 1350°C, Reaction-Bonded SiC (RBSiC) is not a good choice. This is because the free silicon inside it will melt. Sintered SiC (SSiC) or CVD SiC would be better.
2. What is the Chemical Environment? Will the part be exposed to strong acids or alkalis? For very corrosive environments, a high-purity material like SSiC or CVD SiC is needed. The free silicon in RBSiC can be attacked by certain chemicals.
3. What are the Mechanical Stresses? Think about the forces the part will face. Is it high load, constant rubbing, or risk of impact? For extreme wear and load, SSiC is often the best. However, RBSiC has good wear resistance and can be a more cost-effective choice for many applications.
4. What are the Part Geometry and Tolerance Needs? How complex is the shape? RBSiC is excellent for making complex, near-net-shape parts. This reduces the need for expensive grinding. If you need very tight dimensions and a perfect surface, SSiC or CVD SiC followed by diamond grinding is the way to go.
5. What is the Project Budget? Cost is always a factor. RBSiC is generally the most affordable option. SSiC is in the middle. It offers better performance for a higher price. CVD SiC is a premium material. It is used when absolute purity and uniformity are required and cost is less of a concern.

The Future of SiC Manufacturing

The world of silicon carbide is always evolving. New trends in 2026 are making these advanced ceramic parts more capable and accessible.

One of the most exciting areas is additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. Recent studies show that 3D printing allows for the creation of very complex SiC parts. These were impossible to make before. This reduces waste and production time. According to experts, new innovations and techniques in silicon carbide manufacturing also focus on creating near-net-shape parts from graphite. This lowers costs by reducing difficult machining.

Another major trend is the growing use of silicon carbide in electric vehicles (EVs) and power electronics. SiC semiconductors can handle higher voltages and temperatures than traditional silicon. This leads to more efficient power inverters, faster charging, and longer range for EVs. As these technologies grow, the demand for both electronic and structural silicon carbide parts will continue to rise.

Conclusion

Sic parts are a top material choice for the most challenging engineering problems. They provide unmatched performance where heat, wear, and corrosion cause other materials to fail. By understanding the differences between SSiC, RBSiC, and CVD SiC, you can select the perfect component for your application. This ensures reliability and long service life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Silicon Carbide Ceramic

Is silicon carbide stronger than steel?

In terms of hardness and resistance to wear, silicon carbide is much better than any steel. However, steel is tougher. This means it can bend or dent under impact without breaking. Ceramic parts like SiC are more brittle and can shatter from a sharp blow.

Can silicon carbide parts be machined?

Yes, but it is very hard and costly because of its extreme hardness. Machining is usually done with diamond grinding tools. Because of this, manufacturers try to produce “near-net-shape” parts. These need very little machining after they are formed.

What is the difference between silicon carbide and tungsten carbide?

Both are very hard materials. Silicon carbide is a ceramic. It is much lighter and usually has better high-temperature and corrosion resistance. Tungsten carbide is a composite with a metal binder. It is much heavier and has higher toughness. This makes it less likely to fracture from impact.

How are sic ceramic made?

The most common methods include sintering, where SiC powder is pressed and heated. There is also reaction-bonding, where a SiC and carbon mix is filled with molten silicon. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) uses gases to create an ultra-pure SiC part or coating.

Is silicon carbide a good electrical conductor?

Silicon carbide is a semiconductor. This means its ability to conduct electricity can be controlled. By adding certain impurities, its electrical properties can be fine-tuned. This is why it is used for high-power electronic devices, in addition to its use as a mechanical material.