Morgan unveils new SiC kiln material

UK-based Morgan Advanced Materials has launched a nitride-bonded silicon carbide (SiC) material to be used in kilns in the US.

The material, known as Halsic-N, has a microstructure which offers increased mechanical strength and greater durability than the typical refractory material available in the US market, according to Morgan.    

Halsic-N is designed to have an increased lifespan, with enhanced refractory properties including resistance to oxidation and thermal shock. 

Halsic-N contains a dense honeycomb structure, manufactured by firing ceramic material. This unique structure provides the maximum surface area on which chemical reactions take place, using the least amount of catalyst.

The new (for the US) material will be showcased at this year’s Ceramics  Expo event, which IM will also be attending Source: Morgan Advanced Materials

The material is used in ceramic firing kilns and also metallurgy smelting.    

"The main target business is kiln furniture in table-porcelain and sanitary-porcelain industries as well as themocouple sheets in non-ferrous smelting," Morgan told IM.

Although the material has been widely used for the firing of ceramic porcelain throughout Europe since 2015, the company is only introducing Halsic-N to the US market now, in response to the accelerating production of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and the emphasis on cutting emissions.  

"Throughout the US we are seeing an increase in the production of DPFs and catalytic converters, and the design of such components is becoming more sophisticated all the time. These components used to consist of only one filter per catalytic converter; however, today’s models have two or three separate discrete filters, prompting demand for the firing process," explained Michael Rozumek, R&D director at Morgan. 

In response to increasing demand for more sophisticated material, Morgan has developed Halsic-N, which has a flexural strength of 160MPa and improved oxidation-resistance and resistance to creep deformation. 

Furthermore, the material can be shaped to exact dimensions required by customers, delivering a material that can be relied upon for repeated use during rapid heating and cooling, Rozumek added.