Sintered Silicon Carbide since 1986

Sintered silicon carbide is of significant importance to Sialon Ceramics LTD due to its hardness and thermal conductivity. The application of heat and pressure during the sintering process strengthens its characteristics  in hostile situations. Consequently, the technique is of vital importance in a number of sectors, including aircraft, military, and semiconductor production, where efficiency and endurance are of the utmost importance. As industry needs shift, sintered silicon carbide products are able to demonstrate there adaptability in expert industrial applications.

Definition and Explanation of Sintering

Sialon Ceramics LTD defines sintering of silicon carbide as a high-temperature technique that densifies powdered materials into solids using heat and pressure. Sintering involves atomic diffusion, whereby particles combine to form a stiff, dense structure without melting. It is used to create ceramic and metallic components with precise characteristics. For example, the temperatures used in ceramic sintering of silicon carbide range from 1000°C to 2000°C, depending on the material and the desired properties. The diffusion rates and particle size of the target material affect the sintering time, which can range from minutes to hours.

Specifics of the silicon carbide sintering process 

Silicon carbide (SiC), a non-oxide ceramic, has covalent bonding and a low self-diffusion coefficient, which makes sintering challenging. High-density sintered silicon carbide is manufactured at our facility using pressureless, hot pressing, and spark plasma sintering techniques. Inert atmospheres, such as argon, are employed to sinter SSIC at temperatures exceeding 1950°C in order to prevent oxidation. Additionally, boron carbide (B4C) or carbon (C) sintering aids may be incorporated into the manufacturing process of sintered silicon carbide. These additives facilitate its particle diffusion during sintering process of silicon carbide, resulting in enhanced thermal conductivity and hardness.

Advantages of Using Sintering over Other Forms

• Exceptional hardness
• High thermal conductivity
• Excellent wear resistance
• Low thermal expansion
• Good chemical stability
• Superior corrosion resistance
• High mechanical strength at high temperatures
• Good thermal shock resistance
• High stiffness
• Lightweight properties 

Other Industrial Applications

Aerospace Components: 

Sintered silicon carbide components are vital in aircraft owing to their durability. We can make turbine components that use the material’s high-temperature stability and thermal shock resistance.

High-speed air travel requires such components that can tolerate temperatures beyond 1370°C. Their low density (3-3.2 g/cm³) also saves aircraft weight for fuel economy and performance. Satellite subsystems benefit from the material’s radiation resistance.

Automotive Parts:

The automotive industry has expanded with the incorporation of sintered silicon carbide in braking systems and engine components. The brake discs and pads exhibit unusual wear resistance and thermal conductivity for heat dissipation and performance under high-friction settings. Sintered silicon carbide can also be used to manufacture lightweight engine components that reduce the heat load and boost horsepower.

Ballistic Armour:

Sintered silicon carbide’s hardness and density are well-suited to vehicle and personal protection systems. We can produce ballistic armour plates that absorb and distribute impact energy, thereby enhancing the safety of military and law enforcement personnel. Such plates have been proven to fulfill the strict national military requirements, to guard against high-velocity projectiles, and to be key to current protective gear. Their lightweight design preserves mobility, giving tactical advantages in numerous military settings.

Semiconductor Devices:

Finally, SSIC is desirable in the semiconductor sector for high-power electronic devices. Its heat dissipation and structural stability at high temperatures render it advantageous in LED lighting systems and power semiconductors. The incorporation of SSIC into electronic devices enhances their reliability while simultaneously reducing thermal stress and extending their operational lifespan. This is particularly beneficial in the context of contemporary electronic applications.