Machine these rods into nozzles for acids, pins or supports for kilns, and other parts that require extreme hardness when exposed to temperature changes and chemicals. Nitride-bonded silicon carbide is better at transferring heat than most ceramics and expands without cracking when temperatures fluctuate. This means you can use these rods in extremely high heat without sacrificing strength and chemical resistance.

The base material, silicon carbide, resists most chemicals, including acids and bases. This material blend is more chemically resistant than recrystallized silicon carbide and silicon nitride, but it’s not as resistant as sintered silicon carbide. Non-wetting, this material causes molten non-ferrous metal to bead up, like water on a waterproof cushion. It’s often used in metal processing equipment as a lining.

Nearly as hard as diamond, this material stands up to repeated wear and won’t dent on impact. A nitride coating prevents it from breaking down and becoming weak. It’s also 1.5 times stronger than recrystallized silicon carbide, so it resists cracking when bent. Even though this material is porous, it resists flaking or cracking if it absorbs water and then freezes (known as spalling). However, its hardness makes it difficult to machine, and it must be worked using diamond-tipped tools. This also makes for more brittle material than other ceramics, so once a crack forms, it loses strength.