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Author: Subject: Is this SiC or Si metal ?
metalresearcher
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[*] posted on 11-10-2014 at 12:29
Is this SiC or Si metal ?


I heated fine quartz sand with crushed charcoal with an electric arc (welder + carbon rods, about 1.5-2kW) for a few times, each time 1-2 minutes and adding some charcoal + sand intermediate. It heated to at least 2000-2500C.
I saw very small spheres during the arcing.
After cooling down I still see these very small spheres (<1mm dia) on the charcoal. See here a movie of the cooled matter (image size about 30mm wide).

http://www.metallab.net/jwplayer/video.php?f=/clips/MVI_5452...

What is it ? I guess Si and / or SiC.
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Metacelsus
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[*] posted on 11-10-2014 at 14:27


Could you try measuring the density?



As below, so above.

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metalresearcher
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[*] posted on 12-10-2014 at 02:27


Quote: Originally posted by Cheddite Cheese  
Could you try measuring the density?


No, I don't have scales which weigh sub-milligram quantities and sub-cubic millimeter volumes.
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chornedsnorkack
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[*] posted on 12-10-2014 at 10:04


The densities are 2,33 for Si and 3,21 for SiC.

Are there any liquids with density in that range, which do not react with either Si or SiC?
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Praxichys
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[*] posted on 13-10-2014 at 08:43


I would imagine that since they are spheres, some melting had to occur.

Silicon melts at 1414C
SiO2 melts at ~1700C
SiC melts at 2730C

Even in an arc, I find it unlikely that the SiC would have melted to form beads like that. That's almost 5000 degrees F.

You might be able to test it using hardness. SiC is very hard. You may be able to find a piece of hardened steel that quartz and silicon cannot scratch, but SiC would. This could be a good small scale test.

I do not know much about the chemical stability of SiC but perhaps digesting in molten NaOH and then some strong acid would get rid of anything but the SiC?




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etoxiran
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[*] posted on 12-6-2015 at 13:50


Here is a little hint.
http://www.liquiflo.com/v2/files/pdf/lit/Chemical_Resistance...

I would test it with hydrofluoric acid, SiC seems to be resistant, silicone and silicone dioxide not
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