Examples of carbide in the following topics:
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- Methanides are carbides that decompose in water and generate water; aluminum carbide (Al4C3) and beryllium carbide (Be2C) are examples of this class of carbides.
- Covalent carbides are found in carbides of silicon and boron.
- Both silicon carbide (also known as carborundum) and boron carbide are very hard and refractory materials.
- Interstitial carbides describe the carbides of the group-IV, -V, and VI transition metals.
- These carbides are metallic and refractory.
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- Silicon carbide (SiC) is also known as carborundum.
- Silicon carbide exists in about 250 crystalline forms.
- Structurally, silicon carbide is very complex; at least 70 crystalline forms have been identified.
- Tungsten carbide (WC) is probably the most widely encountered covalent solid, owing to its use in carbide cutting tools and as the material used to make the rotating balls in ball-point pens.
- Silicon carbide is an extremely rare mineral, and in nature is is mostly found in a certain type of meteorite.
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- The reaction of boron carbide with bromine at temperatures above 300 °C leads to the formation of boron tribromide.
- It is also used in the refining of aluminium, magnesium, zinc, and copper alloys to remove nitrides, carbides, and oxides from molten metal.
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- At higher temperatures, carbon will react with oxygen to give carbon oxides, and metals to give metal carbides.
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- Carbide-tipped steel needles can also be used to great effect, and are cheaper than diamond-tipped needles, but they need frequent sharpening to maintain a sharp point.