Silicon carbide (SiC) particle size can significantly affect the flowability and thermal stability of refractory materials. Learn how Okayama Giken Minerals' high-purity custom grades of SiC address these challenges.
In recent years, refractory manufacturers in Europe and Southeast Asia have expressed concerns about inconsistent results when using silicon carbide (SiC) materials in monolithic refractories, precast parts and self-flowing castables. At the heart of the problem are factors such as poor particle size distribution, high impurity levels and unstable sintering behavior.
The problem: Unstable flowability and thermal expansion
Many producers report that using low-quality Chinese SiC aggregates results in poor castable flowability, excessive water requirements and unpredictable thermal expansion during sintering. These issues are particularly common in:
Alumina-based castables with SiC additions
Carbon-containing slide gate refractory mixes
High-temperature preforms for ladles and tundishes
Major technical challenges include:
SiC particles that are too coarse or too fine can lead to segregation or density differences
Impurities such as Fe₂O₃ or free carbon that interfere with bonding and sintering
Inconsistent thermal properties leading to cracks, volume changes or reduced lining life
Why particle size and purity are important
SiC particle size distribution directly affects:
Rheology and self-flow behavior of castables
Packing density and water requirement
Thermal conductivity and expansion control during service
Corrosion resistance when in contact with slag and molten metal
Similarly, chemical purity is critical. Too high a Fe₂O₃ content can lead to undesirable reactions, while unburned carbon can reduce bond strength during sintering.
Solution: Okayama Giken Minerals provides customized high-purity silicon carbide
Okayama Giken Minerals provides precision-graded silicon carbide with customizable particle size distribution (PSD) and guaranteed low impurity content, designed specifically for the refractory industry.
Our product advantages:
Silicon carbide purity ≥98.5%, Fe₂O₃≤0.3%, free carbon ≤0.2%
Standard specifications: 0-1mm, 1-3mm, 3-5mm, 5-10mm, fine powder and powder
Customized formulations can be optimized according to customer formulations
Full batch traceability, laboratory team provides technical support
Provide technical consultation on flow control, thermal expansion adjustment and slag resistance
We work closely with refractory castable manufacturers, sliding gate refractory system manufacturers and steel mill supply partners to provide customized silicon carbide specifications to ensure product performance, production efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Reliable logistics services, serving Europe and Southeast Asia
Whether you operate in Germany, Poland, Thailand or Vietnam, our international export team can ensure smooth delivery:
Professional packaging (25KG bags/ton bags)
SGS inspection services are available if required
Technical documents: COA, MSDS and packing list
Sea and rail transportation for cost-effectiveness
Ready to improve your refractory formulation?
If you are experiencing issues with silicon carbide in your castables, or want to optimize your formulation for better thermal control, Okayama Giken Minerals is your solution partner. We provide free sample evaluation and formulation recommendations.
Contact our technical sales team today to discuss your application needs. Let's create better refractory solutions together.
