Silicon Carbide 88/90 vs 90/92: What's the Difference?
Silicon Carbide is an essential metallurgical material in steelmaking, foundries, and refractory industries. Among metallurgical grades, Silicon Carbide 88/90 and 90/92 are two commonly used ranges. Choosing the right grade affects furnace reactions, silicon recovery, carbon contribution, and overall cost efficiency.
ZhenAn supplies both Silicon Carbide 88/90 and 90/92 with controlled particle sizing and batch stability, helping steel plants, foundries, and metallurgical service companies optimize furnace performance.
This guide explains the main differences between SiC 88/90 and 90/92 and provides practical guidance for industrial buyers.
Chemical Composition Differences
| Grade | SiC Content | Typical Carbon | SiO₂ Content | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiC 88/90 | 88–90% | 2–6% | 3–6% | General steelmaking, foundry, refractories |
| SiC 90/92 | 90–92% | 1–4% | 2–4% | Higher silicon yield, precise deoxidation, selective alloys |
Key Takeaways:
SiC 90/92 has a higher silicon carbide content and slightly lower impurities.
SiC 88/90 is more economical and suitable for bulk addition where cost-effectiveness matters.
The difference in SiC content affects deoxidation efficiency, silicon yield, and reaction speed.
Furnace Performance Comparison
Silicon Carbide 88/90
Strong reduction ability in standard steel and iron melting.
Suitable for electric arc furnaces (EAF) and induction furnaces with standard alloy balance.
Provides both silicon and carbon contributions for general operations.
Bulk-friendly and cost-effective.
Silicon Carbide 90/92
Higher purity ensures more predictable silicon contribution.
Better suited for medium to high-grade steel where tighter composition control is needed.
Faster dissolution rate in molten metal.
Lower impurities reduce inclusion formation risk.
Economic Considerations
SiC 88/90: Lower purchase cost, higher tolerance for variability, ideal for general steelmaking and foundry operations.
SiC 90/92: Higher unit cost, but reduces alloy consumption and improves process control for sensitive melts.
Steel plants often perform a cost-per-effective-silicon calculation to decide which grade to use in each heat.
Industrial Applications
Steelmaking
88/90: Bulk addition, general deoxidation, partial ferrosilicon replacement.
90/92: Controlled deoxidation, higher silicon target, secondary refining stages.
Foundries
88/90: Cast iron adjustment, cost-efficient silicon and carbon supply.
90/92: Specialized iron grades where silicon accuracy is more critical.
Refractory Manufacturing
88/90: General-grade refractory components, cost-sensitive additive.
90/92: Premium refractory or heat-resistant layers requiring higher silicon purity.
How to Choose Between SiC 88/90 and 90/92
Process Requirement:
Tight chemical control → 90/92
Bulk furnace efficiency → 88/90
Cost Target:
Budget-sensitive operations → 88/90
High-value or precision melts → 90/92
Particle Size & Dissolution:
Fine or crushed sizes dissolve faster → suitable for high-grade melts
Larger lumps for bulk, slower reaction → suitable for cost-driven operations
ZhenAn supports grade selection based on furnace type, heat size, and desired melt chemistry.
ZhenAn Supply Advantages
ZhenAn provides metallurgical Silicon Carbide in both grades:
SiC 88/90 and SiC 90/92 with certified batch reports
Multiple particle sizes for EAF, induction furnace, and ladle applications
Consistent chemical and physical properties
Bulk and bag packaging options
Technical guidance for grade selection and process optimization
Contact: market@zanewmetal.com
FAQ - Choosing Between 88/90 and 90/92
Q: Can SiC 88/90 and 90/92 be mixed in one furnace heat?
A: Yes, but it should be calculated based on desired silicon and carbon targets.
Q: Is 90/92 always better than 88/90?
A: Not necessarily. 90/92 offers higher purity and predictability, but 88/90 is more economical for bulk applications.
Q: Which grade reduces ferrosilicon usage more effectively?
A: SiC 90/92 can be slightly more effective per ton due to higher SiC content, but cost per reaction unit must be considered.
Q: Can particle size affect the reaction speed between these grades?
A: Yes. Finer granules dissolve faster, while coarse lumps react slower and are better for bulk addition.