Carborundum powder is the finely ground form of silicon carbide (SiC), a highly durable and thermally stable compound. It combines silicon and carbon in a crystalline form and is one of the hardest known materials after diamond. As a powder, carborundum becomes incredibly versatile, capable of polishing metal, shaping ceramics, and enabling the production of semiconductors.
The primary method for producing carborundum powder is the Acheson process. Here's how it's done:
Raw materials like silica sand and petroleum coke are mixed.
The mixture is heated in an electric furnace at over 2000°C.
Crystals of silicon carbide form around a graphite core.
The solid mass is cooled, crushed, and milled into fine powder.
The powder is then classified into different mesh sizes based on application.
Carborundum powder comes in several grades depending on particle size and purity. It’s usually sold by mesh size or grit number.
Microgrit: Very fine (below 240 grit); used for lapping, polishing, and semiconductor applications.
Macrogrit: Coarser (from 16 to 240 grit); used for grinding and shaping hard surfaces.
| Type | Characteristics | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Black SiC | Lower purity (~98%), slightly tougher | Grinding cast iron, stone, non-metals |
| Green SiC | High purity (>99%), sharper grains | Precision polishing, glass, ceramics |
Widely used in grinding wheels, sandpapers, and lapping pastes
Provides a sharp, durable cutting surface for materials like aluminum, steel, and stone
High-purity SiC powder is sintered into wafers for LEDs, MOSFETs, and power modules
Offers superior thermal conductivity and breakdown voltage
Used as a deoxidizer and hardening agent in steelmaking
Enhances heat resistance in refractory bricks and kiln components
Enables creation of hard, heat-resistant ceramics used in automotive and aerospace industries
Extreme Hardness: 9.5 Mohs scale rating
Thermal Resistance: Withstands high heat without decomposition
Chemical Stability: Inert to acids and most solvents
Longevity: Maintains performance even in harsh environments
While carborundum powder is non-toxic, fine dust particles can irritate the lungs if inhaled regularly. Always follow these precautions:
Use respiratory protection and ventilation systems
Wear gloves and goggles
Store in sealed containers to prevent contamination
When selecting carborundum powder, consider:
Application: Polishing, grinding, cutting, or electronic
Grit size: Fine (micron) for polishing, coarse for grinding
Purity: Green for high-precision, black for general industrial use
Packaging: Bulk (25 kg bags) vs small containers (for labs or hobbyists)
Top global and online sources include:
Washington Mills
Saint-Gobain
Alibaba and Amazon (for small to mid-scale users)
Industrial supply companies like Grainger, McMaster-Carr
It’s used for grinding, polishing, cutting, semiconductor fabrication, and in metallurgy.
Yes. Carborundum is the trade name for silicon carbide.
Yes, especially in lapidary and tumbling processes.
Safe when handled properly—use protective gear to avoid inhaling dust.
From very coarse (16 grit) to ultra-fine (1000+ grit) depending on the application.
Yes, and it is used in semiconductors and electronics for this reason.
Carborundum powder delivers unmatched strength, durability, and versatility in a compact form. Whether you're grinding steel, polishing gemstones, or building high-performance semiconductors, this fine powder packs serious power. With multiple grades, global availability, and a wide range of applications, it's a go-to material in modern industry.
Tags: Black Silicon Carbide, White Fused Alumina, Brown Fused Alumina, Pink Fused Alumina, Black Fused Alumina
