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Nitride Bonded Silicon Carbide
A high-performance silicon carbide material for demanding wear, thermal cycling, and high-temperature applications.
Nitride bonded silicon carbide (NBSiC) combines the extreme hardness of silicon carbide with a silicon nitride bond engineered to provide excellent thermal shock resistance, abrasion resistance, and high-temperature performance. SCP manufactures multiple SCProbond™ NBSiC grades, with options tailored to different component geometries and operating conditions.
The Mechanism
How the Nitride Bond Forms
A green, or unfired, NBSiC component is placed in an atmosphere controlled furnace. During firing, nitrogen reacts with free silicon within the component to form silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), creating the bond that holds the silicon carbide grains together.
The reaction adds mass, a fired part typically gains 8 - 10% weight, without changing its outer dimensions, which is part of why NBSiC can be cast so close to its final near-net shape.
The resulting material combines the hardness and wear resistance of SiC grains with the properties of the silicon nitride bond. This combination is what gives NBSiC its distinctive balance of wear resistance, thermal shock performance, and high-temperature capability.
Why NBSiC Is Well Suited to Thermal Cycling
Components exposed to repeated heating and cooling can experience significant thermals stresses. With relatively low thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity, the impact of thermal stresses are reduced.
Why NBSiC Performs well in Sliding Abrasion
Silicon carbide is one of the hardest commercially produced materials. In NBSiC, those hard SiC grains provide the foundation for abrasion resistance while the nitride bond helps hold the grains within the ceramic structure.
Why NBSiC Is Used With Molten Non-Ferrous Metals
NBSiC is naturally non-wetting to molten non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and zinc, making it well suited to components exposed to molten-metal contact and helping reduce material buildup on the component surface.
Material Properties
NBSiC at a Glance
Max Use Temp
2,777°F (1,525°C)*
Thermal Shock Resistance
Excellent
Abrasion resistance
High
Manufacturing
In-House, Horseheads NY
SCProbond™ NBSiC Grades
Different Grades, Tuned by Wall Thickness and Application
Standard Wall · 3/8" - 3/4"
Excellent thermal shock resistance and non-wetting to non-ferrous molten metals.
Thick Wall · 3/4" - 4"+
Complete nitriding through thick sections keeps wear resistance uniform across the whole part.
Maintains abrasion resistance in a thinner casting for reduced mass and faster heat transfer.
oxidation use
Increased oxidation resistance and excess oxygen 900 C to 1100 C. Inquire about this material with our team.