What Is Silicon Carbide 88/90 and Where Is It Applied?
Silicon Carbide 88/90 is a widely used metallurgical silicon carbide grade designed for high-temperature industrial processes such as steelmaking, iron casting, and refractory production. Compared with high-purity silicon carbide used in ceramics and abrasives, Silicon Carbide 88/90 focuses on reaction efficiency, furnace performance, and cost control.
Because of its balanced composition and strong reduction ability, Silicon Carbide 88/90 has become a preferred furnace additive in many metallurgical operations worldwide.
ZhenAn supplies Silicon Carbide 88/90 in multiple particle sizes for steel plants, foundries, and refractory manufacturers requiring stable industrial performance.
What Is Silicon Carbide 88/90?
Silicon Carbide 88/90 (SiC 88/90) refers to metallurgical-grade silicon carbide with a typical SiC content between 88% and 90%. It is mainly used as a functional furnace material rather than a precision ceramic raw material.
Typical Chemical Range
SiC: 88–90%
Fixed carbon: process dependent
SiO₂: controlled level
Trace oxides: limited
Moisture: low for furnace charging
Common Physical Forms
Silicon Carbide 88/90 is usually supplied as:
Lumps
Granules
Crushed sizes
Metallurgical powder
ZhenAn provides customized size grading to match different furnace feed systems and dosing methods.
Why Silicon Carbide 88/90 Is Used in Metallurgy
Silicon Carbide 88/90 is valued for its combined chemical and thermal behavior in molten metal systems.
Functional Roles in Furnaces
SiC 88/90 acts as:
Deoxidizer
Reducing agent
Silicon source
Carbon contributor
Slag conditioner
Heat efficiency enhancer
At high temperatures, Silicon Carbide 88/90 participates in reduction reactions that improve melt quality and lower oxidation loss.
Main Application Industries of Silicon Carbide 88/90
Steelmaking Industry
Steel plants are the largest users of Silicon Carbide 88/90.
Application points include:
Electric arc furnace deoxidation
Induction furnace steel production
Ladle metallurgy
Slag foaming systems
Alloy cost reduction programs
Why SiC 88/90 works well in steelmaking:
Strong reduction capacity
Dual Si + C contribution
Good reaction kinetics
Lower cost than some alloy additives
Suitable for bulk addition
Many mills use Silicon Carbide 88/90 to partially replace ferrosilicon and carburizers.
Cast Iron and Foundry Operations
Foundries frequently use Silicon Carbide 88/90 in iron melting and composition adjustment.
Typical foundry uses:
Silicon adjustment
Carbon correction
Melt chemistry balancing
Furnace efficiency improvement
Casting structure support
Operational benefits:
Better melt fluidity
Reduced oxidation loss
More stable tapping composition
Improved graphite formation tendency
ZhenAn Silicon Carbide 88/90 is commonly supplied to induction furnace foundries in controlled particle sizes.
Refractory Material Manufacturing
Refractory producers use Silicon Carbide 88/90 in general high-temperature material systems.
Used in:
Refractory bricks
Castables
Furnace linings
Wear-resistant products
Thermal shock resistant layers
SiC 88/90 improves thermal resistance and structural durability while maintaining cost efficiency for industrial refractory grades.
Slag Treatment and Metallurgical Additive Sector
Metallurgical service companies apply Silicon Carbide 88/90 in:
Slag modification
Reduction treatment
Furnace performance optimization
Yield improvement programs
These applications focus on reaction value rather than purity class, making Silicon Carbide 88/90 a practical choice.
Where Silicon Carbide 88/90 Is Not Typically Used
Silicon Carbide 88/90 is not designed for high-purity or precision material sectors.
Not typically used in:
Abrasive grain production
Precision ceramics
Semiconductor materials
Electronic substrates
Advanced sintered components
Those industries require ≥98% silicon carbide grades instead of metallurgical SiC 88/90.
How to Choose the Right SiC Grade for Your Process
Industrial buyers usually evaluate three factors when selecting silicon carbide grades:
Choose Silicon Carbide 88/90 When
Furnace metallurgy is the main use
Bulk addition is required
Cost per reaction unit matters
Steel or iron melting is the target process
Choose Higher SiC Grades When
Product purity directly affects performance
Ceramic or abrasive properties are required
Tight impurity limits apply
ZhenAn technical support can recommend the correct Silicon Carbide 88/90 specification based on furnace type and process targets.
ZhenAn Silicon Carbide 88/90 Supply
ZhenAn supplies metallurgical Silicon Carbide 88/90 with:
Stable composition control
Consistent particle sizing
Bulk export packaging
Industrial batch stability
Multi-size availability
Application guidance support
Contact: market@zanewmetal.com
FAQ - Silicon Carbide 88/90
Is Silicon Carbide 88/90 suitable for induction furnaces?
Yes. Silicon Carbide 88/90 is widely used in induction furnace steel and iron melting.
Does SiC 88/90 increase carbon content?
Yes. It contributes both silicon and carbon during high-temperature reactions.
Can Silicon Carbide 88/90 reduce alloy cost?
In many cases, it helps reduce ferrosilicon and carburizer consumption.
Is SiC 88/90 considered metallurgical silicon carbide?
Yes. It is classified as metallurgical silicon carbide rather than ceramic grade.