Silicon carbide (SiC) foam, available from Goodfellow, provides the exceptional hardness, high-temperature durability and performance of solid silicon carbide, but in an extremely lightweight and versatile foam structure.

This combination of properties is highly valued in a range of industries, including aerospace, defence and semiconductor manufacturing.

The matrix of cells and ligaments of silicon carbide foam is completely repeatable, regular and uniform throughout the material, yielding a rigid, highly porous and permeable structure with a controlled density of metal per unit volume. Characteristics of SiC foam include:

• Exceptional hardness (Mohs 9) and performance – outstanding resistance to scratches, wear and corrosion

• Structural stability at high temperatures – can operate up to 2200ËšC

• High thermal and electrical conductivity – unlike most other ceramics

• Low thermal expansion – excellent thermal shock properties

• High surface area-to-volume ratio – very lightweight

• Low flow resistance – high filtration efficiency

In applications, advantages derive from both the properties of SiC and the porosity/high surface area of the foam structure:

• High-temperature filters

• Rocket nozzles Heat shielding elements

• Heat exchangers

• Gas diffusers

• Porous electrodes

• Absorbers of electromagnetic radiation

Silicon carbide foam is available from Goodfellow stock in a standard pore size of 24 pores per centimetre (60 ppi), with a bulk density of 0.29 g.cm-3, a porosity of 91% and a thickness of 10mm. However, other porosities, densities and dimensions may be available upon request.