Professional Black Silicon Carbide Rock Tumbling Grit
Transform rough stones into polished gems with our premium black silicon carbide grit - the gold standard for rock tumbling enthusiasts and professional lapidary operations.
Perfect for Both Hobbyists & Professionals
- Home Rock Hounds: Easy-to-use grit that delivers consistent, beautiful results for your rock tumbling projects
- Technical Operations: Industrial-grade silicon carbide with precise particle sizing for predictable finishing
- Lapidary Workshops: Bulk 25 lb boxes provide excellent value for high-volume operations
Why Choose Our Black Silicon Carbide?
- Superior Hardness: 9.5 on Mohs scale - cuts faster than aluminum oxide
- Sharp Angular Particles: Maintains cutting efficiency throughout the tumbling process
- Multiple Grades Available: From coarse rough grinding to fine pre-polish stages
- Consistent Quality: Carefully screened and graded for uniform results
- Cost-Effective: 25 lb bulk packaging reduces per-pound costs
Technical Specifications
- Material: 99% pure black silicon carbide (SiC)
- Hardness: 9.5 Mohs
- Density: 3.2 g/cm³
- Package Size: 25 pound boxes
- Applications: Rock tumbling, lapidary work, surface preparation, traction, anti-slip
How to Use
For Beginners: Start with coarse grit (60/90) for initial shaping, progress through medium (120/220) and fine (500/600) grades. Each stage typically runs 7-10 days in a rotary tumbler.
For Professionals - Wholesale packaging is in 300lb drums. Email us for wholesale pricing on drum orders, as this will require custom freight rates. 4 drums/pallet
What You'll Achieve
Experience the satisfaction of transforming rough rocks into smooth, polished stones. Whether you're creating jewelry, decorative pieces, or teaching geology, our silicon carbide grit delivers professional results every time.
- 46/70 - best used in large tumblers
- 60/90 (grinding)
- 120/200 (sanding)
- 500/600 (pre-polish)
- Non-Blends: 1000, 1200, and 1500 (polishes)
- Want to view ALL SiC grit sizes? 8 through 1200 can be purchased off this page.
- White Aluminum Oxide ~2 Micron Polish Can Be Found Here
- Green Silicon Carbide Collection Is Found Here
- Minimum order for black silicon carbide is a 25lb box, online ordering.
- Lead time is ~3 -4 business days to repack into these small boxes.
Additional Notes Regarding Silicon Carbides
Because black silicon carbide is harder than aluminum oxide, it is generally used for the abrasive wheel, slurry, refractory and ceramic industries. Silicon Carbide is special in the way it breaks down. As it breaks down into smaller particles, the media will expose new, sharp edges. Therefore, black silicon carbide can be best used over and over, such as in a rock tumbler. It is very effective in grinding almost any material other than Corundum. Simply keep adding new coarser grit, and as the media breaks down, it will create a "working blend" of particles.
Silicon Carbide has a lower hardness and abrasive capacity than diamond and/or boron carbide (both are which 9+ on the Mohs hardness scale). Yet because of its much lower cost when compared with diamond or B4C, it is widely used for grinding nonferrous materials, finishing tough and hard materials, as well as filling up ceramic parts. It is therefore perfect as a rock tumbling media, unless you are processing materials at a 9 or higher on the Mohs hardness scale. (In such a case, you should use Boron Carbide instead. As an example, if polishing Sapphire Corundum or even expensive Cabochons, always use Boron Carbide. These are some of the few times where the use of Boron Carbide and its cost, is justified.)
Other common applications include:
- Ceramic, metal lapping, and polishing applications
- Slicing of silicon carbide wafers
- Rock and stone engraving
- Slicing, lapping, and polishing glass and germanium wafers
- Lapping of piston rings and gears
- Grinding of nonferrous materials
- Finishing tough and hard materials
- Bonded abrasive tool applications
- Glass Etching & Frosting: Architectural glass, decorative panels, signage applications
- Anti-skid, anti-slip abrasive as a flooring or concrete broadcast abrasive
Specifications of Silicon Carbide:
- Thermal Conductivity: High (100 W/m-K) approximately
- Incompatibilities: None
- Typical Packaging: 300lb Drums, 50lb bags, 25lb boxes
- Odor: Odorless
- Safety: Avoid breathing dust; wear protective gear
- Purity: 99% approximate
- Friability: Semi-Friable - as it fractures it will break down with sharp edges and points.
- Pricing Based Per: Pound
- Structure: Monocrystalline
- NMF Classification: Class 55
- Fire & Explosion: Fines can cause explosion and smolder
- Keep away from all sources of ignition
- Color: Black
- Hardness: Knoop 2480
- Instability: Stable
- Hazardous? Not listed as hazardous; see other cautions
- Disposal: According to Federal, State, Local regulations
- Grain Shape: Blocky, sharp edged
- Type: Granular or powdery depending on grade
- Specific Gravity: 3.2 (SiC)
Wholesale Shipping & Packaging Information:
- Default Packaging: Default packaging is in 50lb bags, 2000 lb supersacks, 300 lb drums (4 drums/pallet)
- Discount Pricing: Please use our Quote Request form to obtain custom pricing on larger quantities, with freight. Remember to tell us your ship-to address and the total number of lbs or tons you want a bid on.
- Residential Deliveries: Home based business? No problem! We can ship to a terminal near you and you pick up with your trailer. This can save residential freight costs and liftgate fees.
