Carborundum
Carborundum is a trade name for silicon carbide (SiC), a hard, chemically inert ceramic material widely used as an abrasive and, in modern applications, as a semiconductor. It was developed in the late 19th century by Edward G. Acheson, who produced it by heating silica with carbon in an electric furnace. The name carborundum comes from combining carb- with the suffix of corundum, acknowledging its carbide chemistry and resemblance to alumina-based hard materials. Natural silicon carbide occurs in very small amounts as moissanite, but most commercial material is synthetic.
Properties of silicon carbide include a Mohs hardness around 9, a very high melting point near 2700°C,
Production and forms: SiC is manufactured via the Acheson process and is distributed as powders, grains, and
Applications in electronics have grown with advances in wide-bandgap technology. SiC serves as a semiconductor material
Safety: Processing silicon carbide dust can pose respiratory hazards; appropriate protection and ventilation are recommended.