Materials for Design

Silicon Carbide (aka Carborundum or Moissanite)

Silicon carbide was first synthesized by accident in the late nineteenth century while trying to replicate real diamond – an occupation that was fairly common around that time and which led to a number of new carbides and nitrides – materials that offer the hardest alternatives to diamond – being discovered, It appears to have been discovered simultaneously by American inventor Edward G. Acheson and chemist Henri Moissan. A blend of sand (silica) and carbon, silicon carbide, like diamond, is distinguishable by its incredibly hard-wearing properties. It maintains its shape at temperatures over 1000°C (1832°F) and has very high resistance to thermal shock, a property that allows it to go quickly from ...