GLOBAR Silicon Carbide Heating Elements - technical ceramic solutions

Silicon carbide (SiC) is an ideal material for high-temperature electric furnaces, offering greater reliability at higher watt loads than metallic elements. GLOBAR SiC elements are manufactured from recrystallized alpha silicon carbide for superior performance in this regard.

There are various SiC heating elements designed to meet various industrial requirements. From providing even heat distribution in large box furnaces to maintaining precise temperature controls for high-tech manufacturing facilities, choosing the appropriate element can make all of the difference.

Excellent thermal conductivity

Silicon carbide (SiC), a refractory ceramic material composed of silicon and carbon, has an extremely hard surface (9 on the Mohs scale) and excellent resistance against corrosion, oxidation, thermal shock, wear and wear-tear. Furthermore, SiC makes for an excellent electrical insulator; when doped with aluminum, boron, gallium or nitrogen it can even become P-type or N-type semiconductors for device fabrication purposes.

Selected for its excellent chemical stability and high-temperature strength, ceramic is an increasingly popular choice for furnace and kiln linings. Used in instruments, metallurgy, light chemicals, ceramics, analytical tests, scientific research as well as being well suited for high temperature applications due to its low density, thermal expansion rate, exceptional abrasion resistance properties. Furthermore, ceramic’s very stability in oxygen-rich environments makes it suitable for use within nuclear reactors.

Silicon carbide heating elements offer superior thermal conductivity and abrasion resistance compared to other ceramic materials, including porcelain and porcelain enamel. Their temperature rating range is up to 1600degC with minimal strength loss due to abrasion, impact or corrosion; in fact, its performance in these areas makes silicon carbide ideal for industrial equipment designs such as crushers, grinders, furnaces kilns refractories bricks.

Silicon carbide boasts impressive thermal properties as well as electrical insulating capabilities, making it suitable for many electronic devices, such as thermistors and varistors, with silicon carbide heating elements serving as ideal thermal interfaces between resistors and their environments.

Silicon carbide’s crystal structure is compacted tightly and covalently bonded, giving rise to its high melting point. Primary coordination tetrahedra composed of four silicon and four carbon atoms are linked via their corners into polytype structures which offer increased resistance against oxidation and alkali acids.

There are various types of silicon carbide heaters, each tailored specifically to a different application. For instance, SC Type heaters are great options for environments involving high temperature operations with continuous exposure; H and W types offer excellent temperature control precision that’s essential in semiconductor manufacturing.

High resistance to oxidation

Silicon carbide is an extremely hard material with a Mohs hardness rating of 9. It boasts excellent thermal conductivity and high-temperature strength properties that make it suitable for furnace heating elements. Furthermore, silicon carbide resists chemical reactions in materials heated with it so can be used across a range of applications without adverse reaction occurring between materials heated.

Silicon carbide oxidation occurs at room temperature slowly, but increases rapidly once heated to 800degC. At this point, however, a protective film of SiO covers its surface to slow oxidation rates down until damaged – at which point their rate accelerates significantly. Once over 1500degC are reached however, this protective layer becomes compromised and accelerates even further; which will further accelerate oxidation rates.

To prevent silicon carbide elements from oxidation, it is crucial that temperatures in the furnace are maintained at optimal levels. Furthermore, it is crucial to monitor wattage applied to them – if its levels drop too far below expected levels it could be time to replace the element altogether.

If you’re in search of an economical heating element solution, silicon carbide type D heating elements might be perfect. Constructed from high-density and high-purity silicon carbide material, they’re highly resilient against hot temperatures and demanding environments and come coated with various coatings that prevent oxidation and boost performance.

E-type silicon carbide heating elements are increasingly popular. Offering lower resistance than their D counterpart, E-type heating elements are best used in medium to high-temperature applications like industrial furnaces. Plus, their resistance to corrosion makes them even more appealing!

These elements are created using an exclusive process that combines re-crystallization and infiltration technology to produce high-quality components. This method creates fine grains which act as connections between larger grains, helping reduce resistance of the element. Furthermore, after welding has taken place at high temperatures to further strengthen it; an application at this temperature also reinforces strength; making this product extremely long-lasting while having low thermal expansion rates that won’t deform under pressure or vibration.

Excellent chemical stability

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a strong and resilient ceramic material capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and voltages, serving as both an electronic component as well as providing chemical stability – qualities which make SiC an invaluable addition to many devices which require durability and reliability. Furthermore, SiC exhibits excellent chemical stability which makes it resistant to many chemicals while being corrosive-proof.

Silicon carbide’s chemical stability has made it the material of choice for numerous refractory applications, from ceramic tiles in car brakes and bulletproof vests to capacitors where its durability allows it to withstand high-voltage shocks. Silicon carbide also forms the raw material for manufacturing ceramic-based components for aerospace, automotive and electronics industries.

SiC is an inorganic compound composed of silicon and carbon with the chemical formula SiC, first synthesized synthetically for use as an abrasive in 1893. Sintering is often employed to manufacture it; this involves heating it at high temperatures until its grains come together into one solid material mass. SiC may also be formed into hard, wear-resistant ceramics for use in metallurgical applications or bulletproof vests.

Electrical properties of SiC elements are determined by their bandgap, or electron energy required for them to transition from the valence band to conduction bands, determining whether it’s a conductor or an insulator material. Conductors tend to have narrow bandgaps while insulators have wide ones – SiC has an intermediate bandgap between those of insulators and conductors and thus is considered semiconductor material.

SiC can be enhanced as a semiconductor by doping it with impurities such as aluminum, boron, gallium, nitrogen and phosphorus; these doping agents alter its crystal structure to make either p-type or n-type semiconductors. Additional doping could even enable superconductivity.

SiC can be compromised during ceramic firing by volatile vapors from other materials in the kiln, such as alkali vapors, halogen gases or metal halides. Their presence can corrode its support holes and eventually break it down; to minimize this possibility a kiln should be designed so as to minimize these vapors while providing adequate ventilation.

Long service life

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a hard, crystalline compound of silicon and carbon that has many uses. As a refractory ceramic it can withstand extreme high temperatures as well as gaseous contaminants, making it suitable for industrial furnaces and gas leakage testing applications. Due to this remarkable resilience SiC can even be found in various heating elements used within heat treating industries.

One of the key factors in prolonging the lifespan of a silicon carbide heater is proper handling and care. Although not immune from mechanical damage caused by rough treatment, drops (even during packaging), or forced bending which occurs during storage, unpacking, or installation; silicon carbide elements are vulnerable to cracks or fractures which reduce lifespan and performance negatively.

Silicon carbide elements perform best when used in an environment free of water vapor, as this can etch away at their surfaces and weaken resistance over time. Other process vapors like alkali vapors and metal halides may have detrimental effects as well – these chemicals may chemically attack or condense in their support holes and restrict flow, leading to premature failures of silicon carbide elements.

To minimise their negative impacts, silicon carbide elements should be placed in an environment that allows them to breathe freely while protecting them from vibration and shock, both of which can contribute to premature failure of an element. It should also be regularly inspected for signs of wear and tear so any damages or signs can be repaired immediately – this will extend their service lives while increasing overall furnace temperature uniformity, leading to higher heat-treating system efficiencies.