SiC Ceramics, Structure, Processing and Properties

Abstract

Silicon carbide (SiC) is the most widely used non-oxide ceramic material owing to its high hardness, high thermal conductivity, chemical inertness, high decomposition temperature, and excellent mechanical properties. Thus, its application area is expanding from traditional applications, such as abrasives, mechanical seals, catalytic supports, heating elements, carbon and silicon sources for steel production, filters for molten metals and gases, and foundry crucibles to more advanced applications such as semiconductor processing parts, mirror materials for astronomical telescopes, matrices for nuclear fuel particles and claddings, power electronic devices, and turbine components. The advanced applications require an enhanced performance to satisfy the specific requirements of particular applications. A better understanding of the processing and properties of SiC ceramics will be useful for improving their performance and widespread use. This article summarizes the academic and technological advances in SiC ceramics and discusses their current status in terms of the structure, processing methods, properties, and applications. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive picture of the present standing of the processing techniques and properties of SiC ceramics.