by Silicon Carbide: The Superhero Material of the Future
Silicon carbide, also known as carborundum, is a compound of silicon and carbon with a chemical formula of SiC. It is a very hard, thermally conductive ceramic material that has garnered significant interest in industrial applications. In this article, we will explore the unique properties of silicon carbide that make it a potential supermaterial of the future and discuss some of its promising applications.
Properties of Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide has some exceptional properties that give it advantages over other materials. It is estimated to be about 3 times harder than steel and can withstand high temperatures of up to 1600°C without undergoing structural changes. In addition, it has high thermal conductivity, good thermal shock resistance, high hardness, low thermal expansion, and excellent resistance to corrosion, erosion, and wear. These outstanding properties are mainly attributed to its strong covalent bonds and crystal structure. Silicon carbide will likely play a huge role in many demanding applications where conditions are too harsh for conventional materials.
Potential Applications of Silicon Carbide
Semiconductor Devices
Silicon carbide semiconductors have high breakdown electric fields, wide bandgaps, and high thermal conductivity compared to traditional silicon. These properties allow silicon carbide devices to operate at higher temperatures, voltages, frequencies and power levels. As a result, silicon carbide is revolutionizing the high-power electronics industry. Some applications where silicon carbide is gaining traction include electric vehicles, renewable energy equipment, power supplies, fast chargers and more. Its wide bandgap also makes it suitable for optic and sensor devices.
Automotive Components
The ability of silicon carbide to sustain high temperatures and mechanical loads makes it a terrific material for powertrain and brake components in electric vehicles. Its use helps improve the driving range and performance of EVs by enabling more compact and efficient drivetrains. In hybrid and combustion vehicles as well, silicon carbide-based clutches, brakes, and turbochargers could reduce weight and boost performance. Automakers are actively developing more silicon carbide components to reduce weight and improve efficiency.
Aviation and Aerospace
Silicon carbide’s light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance and ability to withstand extreme temperatures up to 1400°C is spurring its adoption in the aviation and aerospace industries. Potential applications include engine parts, turbine blades, exhaust systems, nose cones, friction brakes, doors, and water reclamation systems. NASA is studying the material for developing lightweight ceramic matrix composites for future spacecraft. These composites could replace heavier metal alloys currently used.
Energy Production and Storage
Silicon carbide shows promising application in developing lightweight, compact power generators and high-power semiconductors for renewable energy systems. In solar and wind turbines, it can enable power electronics located closer to the panels/blades. In nuclear power plants, it allows for smaller, more efficient modular designs with silicon carbide cladding and core structures. For energy storage, it is being tested for developing electrochemical cells that can charge faster and last longer than lithium-ion batteries. Its thermal conductivity also makes it suitable for developing fast chargers.
Demand and Market Potential
Given its excellent properties, global demand for silicon carbide is projected to grow substantially in the coming decade. Markets and Markets estimates the overall SiC market size to increase from USD 978 million in 2019 to USD 2,913 million by 2025, growing at an impressive CAGR of 21.5%. Automotive, renewable energy, power electronics and LED lighting verticals will likely be the major demand drivers. As production capacities increase and costs reduce, silicon carbide is set to transform several industries with its supermaterial potential. Mass adoption may lead to the development of many new products and technologies.
Current Challenges and the Road Ahead
While silicon carbide exhibits great promise, there are still some challenges holding back its widespread adoption. High production costs compared to silicon remain an obstacle for price-sensitive applications. Issues involving growing large, high-quality single crystals need to be solved for optimal device performance. Development of suitable manufacturing techniques is required to exploit its full potential. Investment in R&D aimed at reducing costs, improving material properties and expanding applications will be critical to realizing the full potential of silicon carbide. Collaboration between material scientists, device manufacturers and end-users will help accelerate commercialization. If challenges are addressed, silicon carbide may well revolutionize many strategic industry sectors in the decades ahead.
In summary, silicon carbide is a fantastic example of how advanced materials can potentially solve critical issues across diverse industries. Its suite of superior properties makes it well-suited for a wide array of demanding applications. While commercialization hurdles remain, continuous material and process innovations are bringing down costs and improving performance. Backed by growing demand, silicon carbide seems poised to transform whole product categories and become a mainstream engineering material of the future, touching countless lives through its widespread applications. It’s an exciting time as both its potential and capabilities continue expanding through dedicated research. The supermaterial has truly come a long way and may well drive meaningful societal progress in the years to come.
Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
