silicon carbide

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a very hard, insoluble, crystalline compound, SiC, used as an abrasive and as an electrical resistor in objects exposed to high temperatures.

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silicon carbide British  

noun

1. an extremely hard bluish-black insoluble crystalline substance produced by heating carbon with sand at a high temperature and used as an abrasive and refractory material. Silicon carbide whiskers have a high tensile strength and are used in composites; very pure crystals are used as semiconductors. Formula: SiC

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Etymology

Origin of silicon carbide

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

silicon carbide

"By using the unique carrier dynamics in silicon carbide, we can create circuits that are thousands of times more energy-efficient than conventional electronics, significantly reducing the thermal load on cryogenic systems."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 12, 2026

The company is developing new gallium nitride and silicon carbide power chips to support Nvidia’s artificial-intelligence infrastructure.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2025

Meta told the Verge that they costs about $10,000 per pair to make because the lenses for the current prototypes are made with pricy silicon carbide.

From Slate ● Sep. 26, 2024

The CEO did not speculate about the outcome of the election, but he said technologies such as silicon carbide represent “a monumental change in the history of semiconductors” that is helping to remake the economy.

From Seattle Times ● May 26, 2024

An amorphous, soft silicon carbide, also formed in the electric furnace, was patented by B. Talbot in 1899.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various