Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a semiconductor containing silicon and carbon. It occurs in nature as the extremely rare mineral moissanite. Grains of silicon carbide can be bonded together by sintering to form very hard ceramics that are widely used in applications requiring high endurance, such as car brakes, car clutches and ceramic plates in bulletproof vests. Electronic applications of silicon carbide such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). SiC is used in semiconductor electronics devices that operate at high temperatures or high voltages, or both.