Carborex 3-min

History of Manufacturing SiC

Washington Mills has sold silicon carbide products throughout much of its years in operation. The company began its own manufacture of silicon carbide in 1986 when it acquired the electro minerals business of The Carborundum Company which included a silicon carbide processing plant in Niagara Falls, New York. The Carborundum Company pioneered the commercial development of man-made silicon carbide in 1890 when Edward Acheson invented the process for the production of silicon carbide. Named after the inventor, the Acheson process continues to be the primary method for producing silicon carbide today. Washington Mills expanded its scope in silicon carbide manufacturing through the acquisition of the Exolon Company which included silicon carbide facilities in Hennepin, IL, Tonawanda, NY and Orkanger, Norway.

Carborex 3-min

CARBOREX® Properties

Silicon carbide (commonly referred to by its chemical formulation of SiC) is a chemical compound comprised of silicon and carbon that results in extremely hard (9 on the Mohs scale) iridescent crystals. CARBOREX® grains and powders offer superior properties such as low density, low thermal expansion, oxidation resistance, excellent chemical resistance, high thermal shock resistance, high wear and hardness resistance, high strength, high temperature resistance and high temperature strength.

Green Silicon Carbide Powder-min

CARBOREX® Industries

Washington Mills manufactures CARBOREX® silicon carbide in various chemistries and sizes for an extensive amount of industries such as, but not limited to; Abrasive Blasting, Anti-Slip, Coated Abrasives, Ceramics, Grinding Wheels, Lapping, Filtration, Insulation, Metallurgical, Refractories, Wiresawing, Wear-resistance and many others. Our team of silicon carbide experts are available to help you discover the possibilities associated with CARBOREX®.

norway employee pulling a sample

SiC Production Process

The silicon carbide manufacturing process can be divided into two general steps: the production of SiC crude (generally, SiC lumps having a diameter of 3/8 inch or more) and the crushing and grading of the silicon carbide crude into finished sizes of grains and powders for sale to customers.

Silicon Carbide Manufacturing Experience

Washington Mills is ready to supply CARBOREX® grains and powders for demanding applications.