By far the most important carbide ceramics are materials based on silicon carbide (SiC). Diverse types are manufactured, depending on the intended purpose, but all are characterised by the typical properties of silicon carbide, such as

very high hardness

corrosion resistance, even at high temperatures

high resistance to wear

high strength, even at high temperatures

resistance to oxidation even at very high temperatures

good thermal shock resistance

low thermal expansion

very high thermal conductivity

good tribological properties

semiconductivity