Effect of mechanical activation on the production of SiC from silica sand

In this study the effect of 100 and 200 h low energy ball milling on the carbothermic reduction of SiO2 and C powder mixture was investigated. Microstructure studies of the mixture by SEM revealed that the particle size had been decreased and the SiO2 particles had been covered by C particles due to the milling. The results of thermal analysis (TG–DTA) of milled and unmilled mixtures clearly showed that the reduction temperature decreased due to milling process. XRD pattern of 200 h activated mixture proved that β-SiC had been formed almost completely after reduction at 1500 °C.