Silicon carbide SiC also known as carborundum k ɑːr b ə ˈ r ʌ n d əm is a semiconductor containing silicon and carbon It occurs in nature as the extremely rare mineral moissanite Synthetic SiC powder has been mass produced since 1893 for use as an abrasive Grains of silicon carbide can be bonded together by sintering to form very hard ceramics that are widely used in applications