Application
Silicon carbide ceramics serve critical roles in industrial kiln operations across multiple sectors. A primary application is silicon carbide burner nozzles, widely utilized in high-temperature combustion systems for metallurgical processing, glass manufacturing, and ceramic firing due to their structural stability in extreme thermal environments. Another key use is silicon carbide rollers, which act as support and conveying components in continuous kilns, particularly in the sintering of advanced ceramics, electronic components, and precision glass. Additionally, SiC ceramics are employed as structural components such as beams, rails, and setters in kiln furnaces, where they endure prolonged exposure to aggressive atmospheres and mechanical stress. Their integration into heat exchanger units for waste heat recovery systems further highlights their versatility in kiln-related thermal management. These applications underscore silicon carbide’s adaptability to diverse operational demands within industrial heating technologies.
Key industrial kiln applications include:
1. Silicon carbide burner nozzles
4. Silicon carbide radiant tube
Technical Advantages
1. Exceptional Thermal Stability
- Melting point: 2,730°C (sustains ultra-high-temperature environments)
- Oxidation resistance up to 1,600°C in air (prevents degradation in oxidative atmospheres)
2. Superior Thermal Conductivity
- 150 W/(m·K) thermal conductivity at room temperature (enables rapid heat transfer and uniform temperature distribution)
- Reduces energy consumption by 20–30% compared to traditional refractory materials.
3. Unmatched Thermal Shock Resistance
- Withstands rapid temperature fluctuations exceeding 500°C/sec (ideal for cyclic heating/cooling processes).
- Maintains structural integrity under thermal cycling (prevents cracking and deformation).
4. High Mechanical Strength at Elevated Temperatures
- Retains 90% of room-temperature strength at 1,400°C (critical for load-bearing kiln components).
- Mohs hardness of 9.5 (resists wear from abrasive materials in kiln environments).
|
Property |
Silicon Carbide (SiC) |
Alumina (Al₂O₃) |
Refractory Metals (e.g., Ni-based alloys) |
Traditional Refractories (e.g., firebrick) |
|
Max. Temperature |
Up to 1600°C+ |
1500°C |
1200°C (softens above) |
1400–1600°C (varies) |
|
Thermal Conductivity |
High (120–200 W/m·K) |
Low (~30 W/m·K) |
Moderate (~15–50 W/m·K) |
Very Low (<2 W/m·K) |
|
Thermal Shock Resistance |
Excellent |
Poor to Moderate |
Moderate (ductility helps) |
Poor (cracks under rapid ΔT) |
|
Mechanical Strength |
Retains strength at high temperatures |
Degrades above 1200°C |
Weakens at high temperatures |
Low (brittle, porous) |
|
Corrosion Resistance |
Resists acids, alkalis, molten metals/slag |
Moderate (attacked by strong acids/bases) |
Prone to oxidation/sulfidation at high temps |
Degrades in corrosive atmospheres |
|
Lifespan |
Long (wear/oxidation-resistant) |
Moderate (cracks under thermal cycling) |
Short (oxidizes/creeps) |
Short (spalling, erosion) |
|
Energy Efficiency |
High (fast heat transfer) |
Low (poor thermal conductivity) |
Moderate (conductive but oxidizes) |
Very Low (insulative) |
Industry Case
A leading metallurgical processing enterprise achieved significant operational improvements after integrating silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics into its high-temperature kiln systems. By replacing conventional alumina components with silicon carbide burner nozzles, the enterprise reported:
✅ 40% lower annual maintenance costs due to reduced component degradation in 1500°C+ environments.
✅ 20% increase in production uptime, driven by SiC’s resistance to thermal shock and corrosion from molten slag.
✅ Alignment with ISO 50001 energy management standards, leveraging SiC’s high thermal conductivity to optimize fuel efficiency by 15–20%.
Post time: Mar-21-2025