β silicon carbide as catalyst carrier
Through its proprietary processes SiCAT produces shaped bodies of pure beta silicon carbide
with high porosities, surface areas and strength. Thus for the first time,
extrudates,
and open cell foams made of β-SiC with surface areas of up to 35m2/g and porosities up to 0.7cm3/g are available in commercial quantities.
These β-SiC materials find applications as catalyst carriers in various chemical and petrochemical applications.
Due to their outstanding properties, the β-SiC catalyst carriers help provide for superior reactor yields,
reactor throughput and catalyst service life.
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SEM - Surface of SiCAT's β-SiC
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α and β silicon carbide (SiC)
Silicon carbide is extensively used in abrasive, refractory and electronic products;
most of these products are made of α-SiC produced through a process invented in the late XIXth century (Acheson process).
Sorted α-SiC grains are either used as powders for coatings or bonded together to produce shaped bodies.
Such α-SiC grains are relatively large (a few to hundred of microns in size) and present sharp edges and no surface area.
β-SiC grains present a quite different morphology, allowing smaller sizes,
in the range of several nanometers, with smooth edges.
The very fine powders are used as additives to produce specialty, high density refractories, or mixed into toner materials for printers.
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SEM - Round shaped β-SiC grains
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