Silicon carbide formation by carbothermal reduction in the Acheson process: A hot model study

Abstract

A hot model study was done to investigate the progress of SiC formation via carbothermal route in the Acheson process. Experiments were carried out in a parametrically controlled medium-scale resistance furnace with the raw materials (silica and carbon) in the stoichiometric ratio. The morphological analysis of the formed product at different radial and angular locations was carried out by XRD and SEM. Whereas, the chemical analysis was used to analyze the sample quantitively which gave a radial and angular map of the amount of SiC formation. The temperature measurement at various locations indicates that it has a significant influence on SiC formation. Whereas, the stoichiometric disorder in the product showed the loss of carbon in the process and silica impurity in the formed SiC. The Porosity measurement shows strong variation from the center to the periphery. The results of this study would be beneficial for the current mass production of SiC.