SIC abrasive is manufactured using the high temperature produced in the reaction between carbon and silica. Its structure has a hexagonal-rhombohedral crystal shape. Its hardness is around 2500 HV. The abrasive is ideal for grinding and cutting because of its sharp edges and hardness. It likewise has enough brittleness. It easily cleaves to create new sharp edges (self-sharpens).

SIC is superior in maximizing the cutting rates, while helping minimize subsurface and surface damage. In metallographic applications, it is used in abrasive blades as well as for coated abrasive grinding paper that range from the extremely coarse 60 grit to the extremely fine 1200 grit size.

Coated or bonded SIC abrasive papers are specifically designed to give the abrasive a big number of cutting points. This is possible by proper alignment of the abrasive particles that are about normal to the backing. It must be noted that coated abrasives aren?t quite coplanar. SIC papers thus produce maximum efficiency (stock removal, cut rate, and minimal damage) since new abrasive gets exposed and the old abrasive is broken down.