Green silicon carbide (SiC) is a high-hardness abrasive material widely used as a polishing powder for stone, metals, ceramics, and other hard surfaces. Here’s how it functions in stone polishing:
Properties of Green Silicon Carbide for Polishing:
Extreme Hardness (9.5 on Mohs scale) – Harder than most natural stones, making it effective for grinding and polishing.
Sharp & Angular Particles – Provides efficient material removal and a smooth finish.
Thermal & Chemical Stability – Resists heat and chemical reactions during polishing.
Uniform Particle Size – Available in various grit sizes (e.g., F80-F2000) for coarse grinding to fine polishing.
Applications in Stone Polishing:
Granite, Marble, Quartz, and Engineered Stone – Used in slurry or bonded forms (wheels, pads).
Lapidary Work – For shaping and polishing gemstones.
Concrete & Terrazzo – For refinishing floors.
Glass & Ceramics – Secondary applications.
Polishing Process:
Coarse Grinding (Grits 80-220) – Removes deep scratches and shapes the stone.
Intermediate Polishing (Grits 400-800) – Smoothens the surface.
Fine Polishing (Grits 1000-3000+) – Achieves a mirror-like finish.
Advantages Over Other Abrasives:
Faster Cutting – More efficient than aluminum oxide.
Longer Lifespan – More durable than softer abrasives.
Consistent Finish – Produces fewer scratches compared to garnet or emery.
Forms Available:
Loose Powder – Mixed with water/oil for hand or machine polishing.
Bonded Abrasives – Used in grinding wheels, sanding belts, and polishing pads.
Lapping Compounds – For ultra-fine finishing.
Limitations:
Not ideal for soft stones (e.g., limestone) as it may cause over-cutting.
Requires proper dust control (silicon carbide dust can be harmful if inhaled).
Alternative Polishing Abrasives:
White Aluminum Oxide – Softer, for delicate surfaces.
Diamond Powder – For ultra-hard stones like sapphire or granite.
Cerium Oxide – Final polish for glass-like finishes.