SSiC C (SSiC-C)
Supply condition
Pick when crack deflection and thermal-shock/impact tolerance matter more than peak bend strength (armour tiles, large kiln and pump parts).
Values for the C condition
Other SSiC tempers and conditions
SSiC is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at SSiC.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CThis page SSiC-C | Pick when crack deflection and thermal-shock/impact tolerance matter more than peak bend strength (armour tiles, large kiln and pump parts). | — | 230 | 0.06 | 2,400 HV | 130 W/m·K |
FDefault As fabricated | Default choice for mechanical seal faces, bushings and slurry components needing maximum corrosion resistance and hardness. | — | 260 | — | 2,500 HV | 120 W/m·K |
LPS-SiC | Pick when higher strength and roughly double the fracture toughness are worth lower thermal conductivity and reduced resistance to hot caustics/HF. | — | — | — | 2,100 HV | 70 W/m·K |
SSiC-G | Choose for seal faces that must survive dry running, flashing or poorly lubricated media — dispersed graphite gives emergency lubrication at the cost of strength. | — | — | — | 2,200 HV | 100 W/m·K |
SSiC-P | Use where closed spherical micro-pores are needed as lubricant reservoirs / hydrodynamic pockets in seal faces running on marginal films. | — | — | — | 2,300 HV | 95 W/m·K |
Hot isostatic pressed | Highest density and strength route for small, high-reliability parts (precision optics substrates, high-load bearings); highest cost and limited part size. | — | — | — | 2,700 HV | 130 W/m·K |
What is SSiC C?
SSiC C is SSiC supplied in the C condition — pick when crack deflection and thermal-shock/impact tolerance matter more than peak bend strength (armour tiles, large kiln and pump parts). SSiC C has a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), stronger than 63% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi). SSiC C has a density of 3.12 g/cm³ (0.113 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,700°C (4,892 °F). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; C is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 96/100, better than 99% of ceramic grades
- Conducts heat well — 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of ceramic grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 89% of ceramic grades
- High service temperature — 1,600°C (2,912 °F), better than 86% of ceramic grades
SSiC C properties
Typical room-temperature values for SSiC C; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SSiC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
SSiC C has a density of 3.12 g/cm³ (0.113 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,700°C (4,892 °F).
Mechanical11
SSiC C has a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), stronger than 63% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
Thermal5
SSiC C is rated for continuous service to 1,600°C (2,912 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 4 µm/m·K (2.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
SSiC C has an electrical resistivity of 50 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (96/100), better than 99% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SSiC C takes about 110 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — less than 52% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
SSiC C's machinability is not recommended (6/100, better than 61% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with SSiC C
Is SSiC easy to machine?
Shape in the green/bisque state (green machining or CIP + turning); after sintering only diamond grinding, lapping and polishing are possible — allow 0.1–0.3 mm grind stock and expect ~2 % sintering shrinkage scatter.
Can SSiC be welded?
Not weldable; join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Ag-Cu-Ti) up to ~600 °C service, glass/ceramic sealing, diffusion bonding or shrink-fit into metal holders — respect the 4 µm/m·K CTE mismatch with steel.
Can SSiC be formed, bent or molded?
Formed as a powder body by dry/CIP pressing, slip or gel casting, extrusion or injection moulding, then debound and pressureless sintered at 2050–2150 °C in argon.
What surface finishes work on SSiC?
Seal and bearing faces are diamond-lapped to Ra ≤ 0.05 µm and 1–2 helium light bands flatness; no coating is normally needed, though laser texturing or DLC overlays are used for dry-running duties.
SSiC chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C (free)carbon sintering aid, removes surface SiO₂ | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Badded as B or B₄C, solid-state sintering aid | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Si (free)essentially silicon-free — key difference vs SiSiC | 0 – 0.1 | 0 |
| Al₂O₃ + Y₂O₃only in the LPS-SiC variant (typically 5–10 % combined) | 0 – 10 | 0 |
| SiCα-SiC (6H) dominant after sintering | ≥ 98 (balance) | — |
SSiC C — frequently asked
What is SSiC C used for?
SSiC C is typically used for mechanical seal rings, slurry pump components, bulletproof armor tiles, bearing sleeves and chemical pump parts. In short: most corrosion-resistant SiC; no free silicon phase; standard seal-face ceramic.
What is the tensile strength of SSiC C?
SSiC C has a typical tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — stronger than 63% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is SSiC C easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, better than 61% of ceramic grades). Shape in the green/bisque state (green machining or CIP + turning); after sintering only diamond grinding, lapping and polishing are possible — allow 0.1–0.3 mm grind stock and expect ~2 % sintering shrinkage scatter.
Can SSiC C be welded?
Not weldable; join by active-metal brazing (Ti/Ag-Cu-Ti) up to ~600 °C service, glass/ceramic sealing, diffusion bonding or shrink-fit into metal holders — respect the 4 µm/m·K CTE mismatch with steel.
What surface finishes work on SSiC C?
Seal and bearing faces are diamond-lapped to Ra ≤ 0.05 µm and 1–2 helium light bands flatness; no coating is normally needed, though laser texturing or DLC overlays are used for dry-running duties.
Can SSiC C be formed, bent or molded?
Formed as a powder body by dry/CIP pressing, slip or gel casting, extrusion or injection moulding, then debound and pressureless sintered at 2050–2150 °C in argon.
What is the maximum service temperature of SSiC C?
SSiC C is rated for continuous use to about 1,600°C (2,912 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Hexoloy SA / SP Sintered Silicon Carbide datasheets — Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics (2023)
- EKasic F / C / P / F plus silicon carbide grade data — 3M Technical Ceramics (ESK) (2022)
- Sintered Silicon Carbide (SSiC) material properties — CoorsTek / Kyocera Fine Ceramics (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.