Difference between revisions of "Silicon carbide"
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| − | '''Silicon carbide''', also known as '''carborundum''' is a compound of silicon and carbon with chemical formula '''SiC''', mainly used as an abrasive. Silicon carbide occurs naturally as very rare mineral '''moissanite'''. | + | '''Silicon carbide''', also known as '''carborundum''' is a compound of [[silicon]] and [[carbon]] with chemical formula '''SiC''', mainly used as an abrasive. Silicon carbide occurs naturally as very rare mineral '''moissanite'''.<ref>https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_carbide</ref> |
==Properties== | ==Properties== | ||
===Chemical=== | ===Chemical=== | ||
| − | Silicon carbide resists the attack of many acids due to the formation of a thin layer of silicon dioxide, however, SiC will dissolve in molten alkali. | + | Silicon carbide resists the attack of many acids due to the formation of a thin layer of [[silicon dioxide]], however, SiC will dissolve in molten alkali. |
===Physical=== | ===Physical=== | ||
| − | Silicon carbide is extremely hard solid (9-9,5 | + | Silicon carbide is a black solid, with a density of 3.21 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, odorless, with a high melting point of 2,730 °C. It is extremely hard solid (9-9,5 on [[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs scale]]). SiC is insoluble in all solvents. |
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
| − | Silicon carbide is often present in | + | Silicon carbide is often present in abrasive materials and some semiconductors. |
It can be also bought as moissanite which is highly attractive synthetic gem and is being used as a cheaper replacement for diamonds in jewellery. | It can be also bought as moissanite which is highly attractive synthetic gem and is being used as a cheaper replacement for diamonds in jewellery. | ||
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==Preparation== | ==Preparation== | ||
Because of the rarity of natural moissanite, most silicon carbide is synthetic. | Because of the rarity of natural moissanite, most silicon carbide is synthetic. | ||
| − | However the preparation of SiC is too difficult for most amateur scientists.The simplest manufacturing process is to combine silica sand and carbon in an Acheson graphite electric resistance furnace at a high temperature, between 1,600 °C (2,910 °F) and 2,500 °C (4,530 °F). Fine | + | However the preparation of SiC is too difficult for most amateur scientists. The simplest manufacturing process is to combine silica sand and carbon in an Acheson graphite electric resistance furnace at a high temperature, between 1,600 °C (2,910 °F) and 2,500 °C (4,530 °F). Fine SiO<sup>2</sup> particles in plant material (e.g. rice husks) can be converted to SiC by heating in the excess carbon from the organic material. The silica fume, which is a byproduct of producing silicon metal and ferrosilicon alloys, also can be converted to SiC by heating with graphite at 1,500 °C (2,730 °F). |
==Projects== | ==Projects== | ||
| − | *Silicon carbide | + | *Silicon carbide [[crucible]] |
| + | *Abrasive material | ||
| + | *[[Mineral collecting]] (moissanite) | ||
==Handling== | ==Handling== | ||
===Safety=== | ===Safety=== | ||
| − | Silicon carbide is non-flammable and non-explosive. | + | Silicon carbide is non-flammable and non-explosive. In bulk form is practically inert, while the powdered form is more hazardous: |
'''Effects of Exposure:''' | '''Effects of Exposure:''' | ||
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'''Exposure:''' Pre-existing respiratory disorders. | '''Exposure:''' Pre-existing respiratory disorders. | ||
| − | '''Carcinogenicity:''' NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No | + | '''Carcinogenicity:''' NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No<ref>[http://www.espimetals.com/index.php/msds/708-silicon-carbide espimetals]</ref> |
===Storage=== | ===Storage=== | ||
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===Disposal=== | ===Disposal=== | ||
| − | Silicon carbide isn't harmful to | + | Silicon carbide isn't harmful to environment, so it's safe to dump it with normal trash or into the soil. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ||
Revision as of 15:59, 25 February 2018
 Silicon carbide sample.
| |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Silicon carbide
| |
| Other names
Carborundum
Moissanite | |
| Identifiers | |
| Jmol-3D images | Image |
| |
| Properties | |
| SiC | |
| Molar mass | 40.10 g/mol |
| Appearance | Black lustrous solid |
| Density | 3.21 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 2,730 °C (4,950 °F; 3,000 K) (decomposes) |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| Insoluble | |
| Solubility | Reacts with molten alkali Insoluble in virtually all solvents |
| Vapor pressure | ~ 0 mmHg |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | ScienceLab |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Silicon boride Silicon dioxide Silicon nitride |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Silicon carbide, also known as carborundum is a compound of silicon and carbon with chemical formula SiC, mainly used as an abrasive. Silicon carbide occurs naturally as very rare mineral moissanite.[1]
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Silicon carbide resists the attack of many acids due to the formation of a thin layer of silicon dioxide, however, SiC will dissolve in molten alkali.
Physical
Silicon carbide is a black solid, with a density of 3.21 g/cm3, odorless, with a high melting point of 2,730 °C. It is extremely hard solid (9-9,5 on Mohs scale). SiC is insoluble in all solvents.
Availability
Silicon carbide is often present in abrasive materials and some semiconductors.
It can be also bought as moissanite which is highly attractive synthetic gem and is being used as a cheaper replacement for diamonds in jewellery.
Preparation
Because of the rarity of natural moissanite, most silicon carbide is synthetic. However the preparation of SiC is too difficult for most amateur scientists. The simplest manufacturing process is to combine silica sand and carbon in an Acheson graphite electric resistance furnace at a high temperature, between 1,600 °C (2,910 °F) and 2,500 °C (4,530 °F). Fine SiO2 particles in plant material (e.g. rice husks) can be converted to SiC by heating in the excess carbon from the organic material. The silica fume, which is a byproduct of producing silicon metal and ferrosilicon alloys, also can be converted to SiC by heating with graphite at 1,500 °C (2,730 °F).
Projects
- Silicon carbide crucible
- Abrasive material
- Mineral collecting (moissanite)
Handling
Safety
Silicon carbide is non-flammable and non-explosive. In bulk form is practically inert, while the powdered form is more hazardous:
Effects of Exposure: To the best of our knowledge the chemical, physical and toxicological properties of silicon carbide have not been thoroughly investigated and reported. Silicon carbide is a nuisance dust capable of producing nonprogressive pulmonary fibrosis. Silicon carbide implants have caused tumors in laboratory animals.
Acute Effects: Inhalation: May cause irritation. Ingestion: No acute health effects recorded. Skin: May cause abrasive irritation. Eye: May cause abrasive irritation.
Chronic Effects: Inhalation: May cause pneumoconiosis. No other chronic health effects recorded.
Target Organs: No target organs recorded. Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by
Exposure: Pre-existing respiratory disorders.
Carcinogenicity: NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No[2]
Storage
Silicon carbide is very stable and doesn't require any special storage.
Disposal
Silicon carbide isn't harmful to environment, so it's safe to dump it with normal trash or into the soil.
References
Relevant Sciencemadness threads
- Chemical pages without CAS Registry Number
- Articles without EBI source
- Chemical pages without ChemSpiderID
- Chemical pages without DrugBank identifier
- Articles without KEGG source
- Articles without InChI source
- Articles without UNII source
- Articles containing unverified chemical infoboxes
- Chemical compounds
- Inorganic compounds
- Silicon compounds
- Carbides
- Insoluble compounds
- Minerals
