Microwave Mishap - Silicon Carbide Sinter Experiment

started out as an element test video but dropped the element and it broke... used the powder from the floor to test out sintering properties after zapping in the microwave (almost burnt my microwave in the process)
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[@confuciuslola]

I work w ceramics and you need to seal the lid w clay + some extra carbon to create a no oxygen environment.
Also I believe SiC also reacts with metals that can be found in clay, not sure though
edit: turning wheel clay mixed w silver sand can make a good seal and +50% Silica makes it easy to break away

[@thomaskung1865]

I read that Silicon Carbide reacts with Oxygen quite a bit at around 1000 °C. So I would recommend flooding the Microwave with Argon or similar.

[@Arachnikadia]

If youre trying pure SiC with no additives, you have to get it up high like 1700 or 1800C in a zero oxygen environment.

[@Mr-Highball]

Yeah, _should_ be possible with a microwave and by starving oxygen with some carbon during sinter (I didn't mention that I had some in my test). The only limiting factor would be if the microwaves output is high enough (that's the test and unknown).

[@manudehanoi]

why would you use such a binder ???? it will just burn at high temp

[@thomaskung1865]

if you want a pure SiC result you obviously want the binder to disappear.

[@ShihWeiChieh]

hi man, can i buy some silicon carbide you 3d printed? I just want to make a small chamber in 10 x 10 cm to cook my solar cells!

[@Mr-Highball]

Hey, you'd probably be able to get away with just using an Amazon microwave kiln. They're only like $40
Not sure what temps you'd need to reach but I've seen people get to steel melting with them before

[@ShihWeiChieh]

@@Mr-Highball ah thank you for the rapid reply, I will check them! For the remp rate I think the slower the better, can I obtain 8°C/minute remp in microwave? Or steady 450°C for 30mins?

[@Mr-Highball]

@Shih Wei Chieh np, and if you're looking for _slower_ well... then the standard kilns might actually not work well. I believe they ramp quite quickly (but I don't know numbers for sure... you could potentially go alow with a lower watt microwave at 10% power)
Controllable ramp rates have are a pretty good benefit to making your own

[@Mr-Highball]

@Shih Wei Chieh to add to my last comment, the ramp rate is definitely achievable since that's about what my debind elements and the 450c max hold is about what they reach. We might can work something out if you don't think the Amazon kilns will work for you. I haven't sold one or sent anyone an element before but your project description intrigues me 🙂

[@cybyrd9615]

​​@@Mr-Highball want melt steel locally not using a SiC heating element just the bare powder would it be safe to say SiC can get to 2800F especially if I use a minimal amount total material?