Rapid Processing of Reaction Bonded Silicon Carbide Technology Makes I2P Finals - News Item

Each year the Idea to Product Competition (I2P) seeks to validate new technology and provides universities with a vehicle for commercialising their products and innovations.

Of the 14 finalists this year, one team dealt with the processing of reaction bonded silicon carbide, one of the hardest and most chemically resistant materials known to man. This extreme hardness makes it shape into moulds or components, making it often too expensive for these applications.

However, the Si2C Evolution team has developed novel technology that allows 3-dimensional silicon carbide parts to be rapidly manufactured from a CAD drawing.

Si2C Evolution manufacture tools and dies for the metals casting industry. The advantages of the Si2C Evolution technology include:

•         Lower production costs

•         Superior materials can now be used

•         Increased design freedom

•         More complex shapes can be produced

•         An 80% reduction in tooling lead time for casting or permanent mould operation for aluminium and other non-ferrous metals.

Posted October 21^st 2003