Why Silicon Carbide Price Should Not Be Compared by Ton Only
When buyers ask for silicon carbide price, many of them start with one question: "How much per ton?" This is understandable, but it is not enough for real purchasing.
SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65 are different materials in actual furnace use. They have different SiC content, fixed carbon level, impurity control and application value. A low price may look attractive, but if the grade is wrong, the plant may lose money through lower recovery, higher addition rate or unstable slag control.
For steelmaking, silicon carbide is mainly used for deoxidation, slag reduction and partial replacement of ferrosilicon or carbon additives. For foundry use, buyers often care about fixed carbon contribution and absorption. For refractory production, particle size distribution and moisture control are more important.
A useful quotation should include grade, particle size, quantity, packing method, stock status and destination port. Without these details, the price is only a rough number.
Common Silicon Carbide Grades and Specifications
Different SiC grades should be selected according to real application. Below is a practical reference for export purchasing.
| Grade | SiC Content | F.C. Reference | S | P | H₂O | Common Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiC 85 | 85% min | 8–12% | 0.05% max | 0.05% max | 0.5% max | EAF steelmaking, ladle refining, stronger deoxidation |
| SiC 75 | 75% min | 12–15% | 0.05% max | 0.05% max | 0.5% max | Regular steelmaking deoxidation, slag reduction |
| SiC 70 | 70% min | 18–22% | 0.05% max | 0.05% max | 0.5% max | Gray iron casting, ordinary steelmaking, cost-controlled use |
| SiC 65 | 65% min | 15–20% | 0.05% max | 0.05% max | 0.5% max | Basic deoxidation, rough steelmaking, non-special casting |
SiC 85 is usually selected when the plant needs stronger deoxidation response and lower impurity input. SiC 75 is more common for regular steelmaking and slag reduction. SiC 70 and SiC 65 are used when cost control is more important and the furnace process does not require high SiC purity.
The right choice is not always the highest grade. The right choice is the grade that matches the furnace target.
How to Choose the Right Silicon Carbide Grade for Steelmaking
For silicon carbide for steelmaking, the main question is what the plant wants to solve.
If the plant needs stronger deoxidation and better reaction stability, SiC 85 is usually the safer option. Silicon carbide 85% brings more active SiC into the furnace and reduces unnecessary non-active material input. It is more suitable for EAF steelmaking or ladle refining where final chemistry is harder to correct.
For regular steelmaking, SiC 75 is often enough. Silicon carbide 75% can support deoxidation, slag reduction and partial ferrosilicon replacement without pushing the purchase cost too high. Many buyers choose SiC 75 when they want a balance between performance and price.
For rough steelmaking, ordinary carbon steel or non-special steel grades, SiC 70 and SiC 65 can be considered. Silicon carbide 70% and silicon carbide 65% provide basic reduction and fixed carbon contribution. They are not chosen for high purity. They are chosen because they help reduce cost per heat when the process allows it.
A practical buyer does not ask only, "Which grade is cheaper?"
The better question is, "Which grade gives the lowest total cost after recovery, addition rate and slag condition are considered?"
Price Factors Buyers Should Check
The price of silicon carbide changes with several factors. A serious silicon carbide manufacturer should explain THESE before quoting.
| Price Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| SiC grade | SiC 85 usually costs more than SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65 |
| Fixed carbon | Affects carbon contribution in steelmaking and casting |
| S and P limits | Lower impurity requirements may increase sorting cost |
| Moisture | Dry material needs better storage and packing control |
| Particle size | Narrow sizing or fine powder needs more screening |
| Order quantity | Full-container orders usually reduce freight cost per ton |
| Packing method | 1MT bags, 25kg bags and liners have different costs |
| Stock status | Ready stock and scheduled production may have different prices |
| Destination port | Freight changes CFR and CIF quotation |
This is why two offers for "silicon carbide" may look very different. One offer may be for SiC 65 in 0–10mm. Another may be for SiC 85 in 1–5mm with moisture-proof packing. They cannot be compared directly.
Particle Size: A Small Detail That Changes Furnace Performance
Particle size affects reaction speed, recovery and feeding stability.
| Size | Common Use |
|---|---|
| 0–10mm | General EAF and furnace addition |
| 1–5mm | Ladle refining, foundry and controlled feeding |
| 1–10mm | Steelmaking deoxidation and slag reduction |
| 10–50mm | Special furnace or foundry use |
| 200 mesh / 325 mesh | Refractory and industrial powder formulas |
Fine powder may oxidize too early or create dust loss. Oversized material may dissolve slowly and delay the reaction. For automatic feeding systems, unstable size distribution can also cause blockage or uneven dosing.
For steel plants, 1–10mm or 0–10mm is commonly used. For ladle refining or controlled addition, 1–5mm may be easier to manage. For refractory formulas, mesh powder or narrow grading may be required.
Before placing an order, buyers should confirm not only the nominal size, but also the fines ratio and oversized material tolerance.
Packing and Export Delivery
Packing affects real material quality after shipment. Silicon carbide may leave the factory dry, but it still needs to pass through warehouse storage, truck loading, port handling and container transport.
Standard export packing is usually 1MT jumbo bag. For smaller handling, 25kg bags inside jumbo bags can also be supplied. For humid routes or long sea freight, moisture-proof liners are useful.
| Packing Option | Suitable Use |
|---|---|
| 1MT jumbo bag | Bulk steel plant, foundry and refractory use |
| 25kg bags in jumbo bag | Manual feeding, distributor supply, small-batch handling |
| Moisture-proof liner | Humid ports, rainy season, long-distance shipment |
| Customized marks | Distributor or project-based supply |
| Palletized packing | Customers with stricter warehouse handling |
A lower FOB price loses value if the cargo arrives wet, broken or difficult to unload. For export purchasing, packing should be confirmed together with price.
About Your Silicon Carbide Manufacturer
ZhenAn supplies SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65 for steelmaking, foundry and refractory customers. We are based in Anyang, China, close to major ferroalloy and silicon carbide production areas, with export routes to Qingdao, Tianjin and Shanghai ports.
What we check before shipment:
- Grade matching - SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 or SiC 65, based on the buyer's application.
- Sizing control - 0–10mm, 1–5mm, 1–10mm, 10–50mm, 200 mesh or 325 mesh.
- Moisture control - H₂O 0.5% max, with moisture-proof packing available.
- Batch consistency - SiC, F.C., S, P, H₂O and particle size checked before loading.
- Export documents - COA, packing list, commercial invoice, loading photos and third-party inspection if required.
For regular buyers, ZhenAn can help plan stock and shipment according to monthly demand, packing method and destination port.
Purchasing Checklist Before Asking for Price
To get an accurate quotation, send the following details:
| Information Needed | Example |
|---|---|
| Grade | SiC 85 / SiC 75 / SiC 70 / SiC 65 |
| Particle size | 0–10mm / 1–5mm / 1–10mm / 200 mesh |
| Quantity | 25MT / 100MT / monthly demand |
| Application | EAF steelmaking / foundry / refractory use |
| Packing | 1MT jumbo bag / 25kg bags in jumbo bag |
| Destination port | Jebel Ali / Busan / Rotterdam / Santos |
| Trade term | FOB / CFR / CIF |
| Documents | CoA / particle size report / third-party inspection |
This helps the supplier confirm current stock, correct grade, realistic loading schedule and accurate freight cost.
FAQ
Q:What affects silicon carbide price?
A:Silicon carbide price depends on SiC grade, fixed carbon, impurity limits, particle size, moisture, order quantity, packing method, stock status and destination port.
Q:Which silicon carbide grade is best for steelmaking?
A:For regular steelmaking, SiC 75 is commonly used. For stronger deoxidation or ladle refining, SiC 85 may be more suitable. For rough steelmaking or cost-controlled use, SiC 70 and SiC 65 can be considered.
Q:Can ZhenAn supply SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65?
A:Yes. ZhenAn supplies SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65 for steelmaking, foundry and refractory applications.
Q:What particle sizes are available?
A:Common sizes include 0–10mm, 1–5mm, 1–10mm, 10–50mm, 200 mesh and 325 mesh. Customized sizing can be arranged according to customer requirements.
Q:What information should I provide for quotation?
A:Please provide required grade, particle size, quantity, packing method, destination port and trade term. ZhenAn can then confirm current silicon carbide price, stock, CoA and delivery schedule.
