Market Overview
The spot price of refractory-grade black silicon carbide is not fixed in Q2 2026. Petroleum coke prices moved sharply in April, and electricity cost remains a major part of silicon carbide furnace production. Because of this, the price of silicon carbide for refractories may change with raw material cost, furnace schedule, particle size and available stock.
For refractory plants, the change is not only about purchase price. Black silicon carbide is used in castables, SiC bricks, kiln furniture, furnace lining mixes, wear-resistant layers and repair materials. If the SiC grade, particle size or moisture changes, the refractory formula may also need adjustment.
In April 2026, China petroleum coke prices showed clear movement. SunSirs reported Shandong local refinery petroleum coke at 3,151.75 RMB/ton on April 30, down 8.15% from April 20. Earlier April data also showed the benchmark petroleum coke price falling from 3,541 RMB/ton at the start of April to 3,104.25 RMB/ton on April 29, while low-sulfur coke remained around 4,700–4,800 RMB/ton.
For black silicon carbide producers, petroleum coke quality and price both affect smelting cost. This also means the quoted price will not stay the same for a long time. For the latest black silicon carbide price, buyers can send the required SiC grade, particle size, quantity and destination port to ZhenAn for a current quotation.
Why Petroleum Coke Affects Black Silicon Carbide Price
Black silicon carbide is produced by smelting silica material and carbon material in an electric resistance furnace. Petroleum coke is one of the common carbon sources. When petroleum coke changes, the cost pressure passes into refractory silicon carbide.
This transmission is not always immediate. Existing stock can delay the price change. Scheduled furnace batches, screening loss, particle size requirement and packing method can also change the final quotation.
For Q2 2026, the price logic is simple:
| Cost Factor | Specific Reference | Impact on Black Silicon Carbide |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum coke | 3,104–3,542 RMB/ton in April benchmark movement | Affects carbon source cost and impurity control |
| Low-sulfur petroleum coke | 4,700–4,800 RMB/ton in April reference range | Raises cost for cleaner raw material selection |
| Electricity cost | Electric resistance furnace production | Directly affects smelting cost |
| SiC grade | SiC 85 / 75 / 70 / 65 | Higher SiC content usually means higher production and sorting cost |
| Particle size | 0–1mm / 1–3mm / 3–5mm / 5–10mm / 200 mesh / 325 mesh | Narrow grading and fine powder require more screening |
| Moisture control | H₂O 0.5% max | Requires drying and moisture-proof packing |
| Packaging | 1MT jumbo bag / 25kg bags in jumbo bag | Affects handling, storage and export cost |
Public supplier listings show that black silicon carbide price can vary widely by grade, particle size and order terms. Some China supplier listings show industrial black silicon carbide around US$600–950/ton, while refractory-grade material may be quoted higher depending on purity and sizing. These are reference ranges, not fixed contract prices.
Grade Selection: SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65
ZhenAn focuses on SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65 for refractory-related buyers. These grades should not be used in the same position without checking the formula.
| Grade | SiC | F.C. | Fe₂O₃ | H₂O | Common Size | Typical Refractory Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiC 85 | 85% min | 5–15% | 3.5% max | 0.5% max | 0–1mm / 1–3mm / 3–5mm / 200 mesh | Higher-grade castables, hot-face repair mixes, SiC refractory parts |
| SiC 75 | 75% min | 12–15% | 3.5% max | 0.5% max | 0–1mm / 1–3mm / 3–5mm / 5–10mm | General castables, wear-resistant layers, repair materials |
| SiC 70 | 70% min | 12–15% | 3.5% max | 0.5% max | 0–1mm / 1–3mm / 3–5mm / 200 mesh | Cost-controlled castables, backup layers, furnace maintenance mixes |
| SiC 65 | 65% min | 15–20% | 3.5% max | 0.5% max | 0–1mm / 1–3mm / 200 mesh / 325 mesh | Basic refractory fillers, non-critical layers, cost-sensitive formulas |
The grade choice should follow the working layer. A hot-face castable near flame, slag or metal contact usually needs higher SiC content. A backup layer or non-critical wear layer may use SiC 70 or SiC 65 if the formula allows it.
This is where many buyers lose money. Using SiC 85 in a layer that only needs SiC 70 increases cost without improving service life. Using SiC 65 in a thermal shock zone may reduce purchase cost but increase cracking risk later.
Technical Performance in Refractory Use
The first technical value is Thermal Conductivity. Black silicon carbide helps heat move through the refractory body more evenly. This is useful in furnace linings, kiln furniture and castables exposed to repeated heating. Technical references commonly list silicon carbide thermal conductivity around 120 W/m·K, while some refractory black SiC supplier data lists 120–160 W/m·K depending on grade and structure.
The second value is Thermal Shock Resistance. SiC has high thermal conductivity and relatively low thermal expansion. This combination helps reduce cracking when the refractory body faces rapid heating and cooling. Technical references also link SiC's low coefficient of thermal expansion, around 4.0 × 10⁻⁶/°C in common material data, with better thermal shock behavior.
The third value is wear resistance. In castables and refractory parts, black SiC helps improve resistance against abrasion and slag erosion. This is why it is commonly used in working linings, burner blocks, kiln furniture, tap-hole repair mixes and wear-resistant refractory layers.
Particle Size: A Small Change Can Affect the Formula
For refractory plants, particle size is not only a purchase item. It changes the formula.
| Particle Size | Practical Use | Formula Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1mm | Fine refractory castables and dense mixes | Improves packing density but can raise water demand |
| 1–3mm | General castable aggregate | Balances flowability and skeleton strength |
| 3–5mm | Wear-resistant castables and repair mixes | Improves structure and erosion resistance |
| 5–10mm | Coarser refractory mixes and shaped parts | Suitable for larger aggregate skeleton |
| 200 mesh | Fine powder addition | Affects flowability, binder demand and surface reaction |
| 325 mesh | Very fine powder addition | Improves fine filling but may increase mixing water demand |
If one batch has more fines than the previous batch, the castable may need more water. If the coarse fraction changes, vibration time and final density may change. This is why refractory silicon carbide buyers should ask for particle size distribution, not only SiC content.
Q2 2026 Supply Situation
In Q2 2026, supply pressure is different by grade.
- SiC 65 and SiC 70 are easier to arrange for bulk refractory orders. They are suitable for cost-sensitive formulas, backup layers and non-critical wear-resistant applications.
- SiC 75 needs earlier confirmation when the buyer requires fixed particle size. For refractory castables, stable grading is often more important than a small price difference.
- SiC 85 is more sensitive to spot stock. If the buyer needs high SiC content, narrow sizing and urgent shipment at the same time, the quotation usually carries a higher premium.
For large refractory plants, the biggest risk is not always price. Batch inconsistency can create more trouble. A change in fines, moisture or particle curve may force the production line to adjust water addition, binder ratio, mixing time and vibration time.
Buying Strategy for Q2 2026
For SiC 65 and SiC 70, monthly purchasing is workable if the particle size is standard and the packing is regular. Confirm stock quantity, price validity and loading date before order confirmation.
For SiC 75, secure at least one production cycle in advance. This is useful for castable plants using fixed particle grading such as 0–1mm, 1–3mm and 3–5mm.
For SiC 85, compare more than FOB price. Check CoA, particle size curve, ready stock, lead time, moisture level and packing method before deciding.
For continuous production in Q2 2026, use a mixed plan: spot stock + scheduled production. Spot stock covers urgent demand. Scheduled production covers the next 30–45 days. This reduces the risk of buying at a higher spot premium when high-grade material becomes tight.
ZhenAn Supply Note
ZhenAn supplies black silicon carbide for refractory applications in SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65 grades.
| Supply Item | Available Option |
|---|---|
| Grade | SiC 85 / SiC 75 / SiC 70 / SiC 65 |
| Size | 0–1mm / 1–3mm / 3–5mm / 5–10mm / 200 mesh / 325 mesh |
| Moisture | H₂O 0.5% max |
| Packing | 1MT jumbo bag / 25kg bags in jumbo bag |
| Documents | CoA / particle size report / packing list / commercial invoice |
| Trade Term | FOB / CFR / CIF |
| Shipment | By sea container, based on destination port and order quantity |
For quotation, send the required SiC grade, particle size, monthly quantity, destination port, packing method and delivery term. ZhenAn can check current stock, CoA, particle size curve and delivered cost to your port.
ZHEN AN INTERNATIONAL CO.,LIMITED
ZhenAn is an enterprise specializing in Metallurgical & Refractory products , integrating production, processing, sales and importing and exporting business.
We are focused on building a dedicated team of professionals across the globe. At ZhenAn, we are committed to provide complete solutions by delivering the "right quality & quantity" to suite our customer's processes.
Annual production and sales more than 150,000 tons. Our factory covering an area of 30,000 square meters, it has a complete set of modern production equipment, two large production bases including hydro-metallurgy, two key laboratories and a metallurgical materials testing center with dozens of senior researchers.
FAQ
Q:What grades of black silicon carbide can ZhenAn supply for refractories?
A:ZhenAn can supply SiC 85, SiC 75, SiC 70 and SiC 65 for refractory applications. Common particle sizes include 0–1mm, 1–3mm, 3–5mm, 5–10mm, 200 mesh and 325 mesh. The grade and size should be selected according to the refractory formula and working layer.
Q:How does petroleum coke affect black silicon carbide price?
A:Petroleum coke is one of the main carbon raw materials used in black silicon carbide production. When petroleum coke cost changes, the production cost of refractory silicon carbide also changes. The impact is usually stronger for higher SiC grades such as SiC 85, especially when buyers require narrow particle size and stable impurity control.
Q:Which grade is better for refractory castables, SiC 85 or SiC 75?
A:For hot-face castables, slag-contact areas or parts requiring stronger Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Shock Resistance, SiC 85 is usually more suitable. For general refractory castables, repair materials and wear-resistant layers, SiC 75 can offer a more balanced cost-performance choice.
Q:What information is needed to get a quotation?
A:Please provide the required SiC grade, particle size, monthly quantity, destination port, packing method and delivery term. For example: SiC 75, 1–3mm, 25MT, CIF Jebel Ali, 1MT jumbo bag. ZhenAn can then confirm current stock, CoA, particle size report and delivered cost.
Q:What packaging is available for refractory silicon carbide?
A:Standard export packing is usually 1MT jumbo bag. For fine powder such as 200 mesh or 325 mesh, ZhenAn can also arrange 25kg bags inside jumbo bags. Moisture-proof inner liners can be used for humid ports or long-distance shipment.
