Machining Examples

Silicon Carbide (SiC) – Custom Machined Parts

Silicon Carbide has very good mechanical properties and maintains its strength even at extremely high temperatures. It also has excellent resistance to acids, alkalis and molten salts up to 800°C. These exceptional properties make SiC suitable in applications requiring great resistance to wear, thermal shock and corrosion.

Top Seiko has extensive experience in precision machining of both Silicon Carbide and Silicon – Silicon Carbide metal matrix composites (Si-SiC MMCs). Similar to Silicon Carbide, MMCs are excellent materials to use when high thermal conductivity and wear resistance are required.

Silicon Carbide Properties

Property
(Unit)
Vickers Hardness
HV(GPa)
Flexural Strength
(MPa)
Fracture Toughness
(MPam¹/²)
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
(×10-⁶/℃)
Thermal Conductivity
(W/(m・K))
Thermal Shock Resistance(℃) Dielectric Strength(kv/mm) Wear Resistance(Blast Abrasion Loss)
(μm)
Chemical Resistance
Chemical Formula
Silicon Carbide
(SiC)
24 500 3 2.9 150 450 25 1.6
(Blast Abrasion Loss)
Very Good

For more information, see Material Guide

Single Crystal SiC Properties

Property Color Mohs Hardness Density
(g/㎠)
CTE
(×10-⁶/℃)
Resistivity
Ω・cm
Thermal Conductivity Band Gap Breakdown Electric Field
Type
4H-SiC
N
Deep Green 9.2 3.21 (4-5)x10-⁶/K 0.015~0.028 420 W/m・K 3.23eV (3-5)x10⁶V/cm
4H-SiC
V
Beige 9.2 3.21 (4-5)x10-⁶/K >1x10⁵Ω 490 W/m・K 3.23eV (3-5)x10⁶V/cm

Silicon Carbide – Key Properties & Popular Applications

Key Properties Applications
High Hardness Wear Resistance Due to its high hardness, SiC is extremely resistant to scratches and abrasions. ■Parts requiring high level of scratch resistance such as wafer carriers and wafer tray supports
■Turbine components
■Blast nozzles
■Mechanical seals & Bearings
High Thermal Stability
■High temperature strength
■Low thermal expansion
■High thermal conductivity
■High thermal shock resistance
SiC can maintain its strength to very high temperatures. It is extremely resistant to thermal shock due to its excellent combination of high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion and high strength, and can withstand rapid heating and cooling. ■Parts requiring high stability and shape retention at high temperatures
■Heat transfer components used at high temperatures such as heaters, heat sinks and heat exchangers
Very Good Chemical Resistance SiC is highly resistant to acids, alkali and reactive gases. ■Parts used in chemical environments
■Parts subject to deposit removal with acids or alkali.

Available Sizes and Machining Capability

Availability Sizes(mm) Machining Capability Sizes(mm)
Plate Φ400×t20 Hole diameter Φ0.1 or more
Rod Φ50×300 Hole depth 20D(if less thanΦ1.5)、200(if less thanΦ1.5)
Groove width 0.1 or more Max. hole number 100
Max. Groove(pocket) depth 30 Thread size M2 or more

Ceramics List

  • Alumina(Al₂O₃)

    Excellent electrical insulation properties , High temperature resistance , Plasma resistance , High hardness , Wear resistance

  • Aluminum nitride(AlN)

    High thermal conductivity , High temperature resistance , Low thermal expansion , Excellent electrical insulation properties , Plasma resistant , Corrosion resistant

  • Zirconia(ZrO2)

    High fracture toughness , Low thermal conductivity , Wear resistant

  • Silicon carbide(SiC)

    High hardness , High thermal conductivity , High mechanical strength , Corrosion resistant

  • Silicon Nitride (Si3N4)

    High fracture toughness , Low thermal expansion , Wear resistant , Good thermal shock resistance

  • Machinable Ceramics

    Excellent electrical insulation properties , High machinability , High temperature resistance

Top Seiko Co., Ltd.

〒526-0105
1197-4, Hosoe-cho, Nagahama City,
Shiga Pref.,526-0105 Japan
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