Silicon Carbide Buying Guide

1. What Is Silicon Carbide (SiC)?

Silicon carbide (SiC) is an extremely hard synthetic material produced through the Acheson process. With a hardness of Mohs 9.2–9.5, it is widely used as an abrasive and refractory material. Compared with traditional abrasives, SiC offers:

• Very high hardness and sharp cutting edges
• Excellent thermal stability and thermal shock resistance
• Good chemical resistance and oxidation resistance
• High thermal conductivity

Silicon carbide for sale from industrial suppliers is usually divided into black silicon carbide and green silicon carbide, each optimized for different applications and purity levels.

2. Black vs Green Silicon Carbide: Which One Should You Buy?

2.1 Black Silicon Carbide (Black SiC)

Black silicon carbide is produced from silica sand and petroleum coke at high temperature in an electric resistance furnace. It is slightly less pure than green SiC but offers an excellent balance between hardness and cost, which makes it the most common choice for buyers searching “buy silicon carbide” for general industrial use.

• Purity: typically 97%–99% SiC
• Hardness: about Mohs 9.2
• Color: black or dark gray, angular grains
• Main uses: blasting, grinding wheels, cutting discs, refractory mixes, metallurgical additives

Typical black SiC sizes: F12–F220, P12–P240, 0–1 mm, 1–3 mm, 3–5 mm, 200–325 mesh.

2.2 Green Silicon Carbide (Green SiC)

Green silicon carbide is made from high-purity silica and petroleum coke with stricter control of impurities and crystallization. It has a higher SiC content and sharper crystal edges, making it ideal for precision grinding and polishing.

• Purity: typically 98.5%–99.5% SiC
• Hardness: about Mohs 9.5
• Color: green, transparent or translucent crystals
• Main uses: precision polishing, cutting of glass and ceramics, hard alloy lapping, solar and semiconductor support processes

Typical green SiC sizes: F230–F1200, JIS micro powders.

2.3 Which Silicon Carbide Should You Buy?

• For cost-effective blasting & grinding: choose black silicon carbide.
• For high-precision polishing & cutting: choose green silicon carbide.
• For refractory bricks & castables: choose black SiC refractory grades with suitable grain size distribution.

3. Silicon Carbide Price Factors in 2025

When buyers search for “silicon carbide price”, they quickly discover that quotations can vary significantly between suppliers. The final price when you buy silicon carbide depends on multiple factors:

3.1 Purity and Chemical Composition

Higher SiC content and lower impurities (Fe₂O₃, F.C., etc.) mean better performance but also higher cost. Green SiC, with its higher purity, is always priced above black SiC.

3.2 Grit Size and Processing Cost

• Coarse grains (F12–F60, 0–3 mm) are easier to produce and cheaper per ton.
• Medium grits (F80–F220) are commonly used in grinding wheels and blasting, with moderate prices.
• Fine powders and micro powders (F400–F1200, 325 mesh) require more milling and classification steps, so they carry a premium price.

3.3 Application and Specification Requirements

Special grades for electronics, ceramic membranes, or high-end polishing compounds often require:

• Very tight particle size distribution
• Ultra-low impurities
• Special surface treatment or blending

Such niche grades will show the highest silicon carbide price per kg.

3.4 Packaging and Logistics

• Standard packaging: 25 kg bags on pallets
• Jumbo bags: 1 MT big bags for easier handling and lower packaging cost
• Special moisture-proof packaging for micro powder grades

Longer shipping distance, destination port fees, and logistics conditions (FOB, CFR, CIF) will all influence the final landed cost for the buyer.

3.5 Order Quantity and Contract Terms

For one-time small trial orders, the price is usually higher. When you sign a long-term supply contract or purchase in full-container quantities (e.g., 20–25 MT per container), suppliers can offer more competitive silicon carbide for sale pricing.

4. Main Industrial Applications of Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide is a versatile material used across many industries. Understanding your application is key before you decide to buy silicon carbide.

• Abrasives: grinding wheels, cutting discs, coated abrasives, sandblasting media, lapping and polishing powders.
• Refractories: SiC bricks, castables, kiln furniture, silicon carbide plates and beams.
• Metallurgy: deoxidizer, carburizer, and heat-resistant additives in steel and foundry industries.
• Ceramics: mechanical seal rings, burner nozzles, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant parts.
• Electronics & Advanced Materials: semiconductor substrates, high-temperature components, and experimental materials (using high-purity SiC).

5. How to Choose the Right Silicon Carbide Grade

To get the best performance and cost balance when you search “silicon carbide for sale”, focus on matching grade and grit to your specific process.

If you are not sure which grade to choose, you can send your application details (end product, process, grit range, and target performance), and CanAbrasive will recommend suitable silicon carbide for sale based on our export experience.

6. Packaging, Shipping, and Lead Times

6.1 Standard Packaging

• 25 kg woven bags or paper bags, on pallets
• 1 MT jumbo bags for bulk loading
• Customized labels and pallet wrapping on request

6.2 Shipping Terms

• FOB main Chinese ports (such as Tianjin / Qingdao / Shanghai)
• CFR or CIF to your destination port
• Containerized loading for safety and stable supply

6.3 Lead Time

For regular silicon carbide for sale grades, typical lead time is:

• Production time: normally within several days for stock sizes
• Loading and booking: arranged quickly according to vessel schedule

Special grades or customized blends may require extra production time. A professional supplier will always confirm realistic lead times in the formal quotation.

7. Why Buy Silicon Carbide From CanAbrasive

As a dedicated silicon carbide manufacturer and exporter, CanAbrasive focuses on long-term cooperation with industrial users worldwide. When you choose us as your partner to buy silicon carbide, you benefit from:

• Direct factory source: black and green SiC from our own production lines and partner plants.
• Stable quality control: strict screening, grading, and testing for each batch.
• Complete documents: COA, MSDS, and third-party inspection (such as SGS) available.
• Flexible grades: blasting, abrasive, refractory, and high-purity grades to serve different industries.
• Professional export service: support with documents, customs, and overseas shipping.