Ingredient Dictionary

SILICON CARBIDE

Silicon carbide is an organosilicon compound.

Definition

Silicon carbide is an organosilicon compound.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII WXQ6E537EW · registered name SILICON CARBIDE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Silicon carbide

Cosmetic roles

Scrubs physicallyABRASIVE

Safety & regulatory references

Banned: ASEAN · European Union · United Kingdom

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive · EU Cosmetics Regulation · MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information · UK cosmetics regulations (OPSS)

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H350 (category 1B)

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name 炭化ケイ素: 本品は、β型炭化ケイ素の微粉末である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

SILICON CARBIDEINCI실리콘카바이드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Silicon carbide (SiC)Synonym炭化ケイ素Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 409-21-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 206-991-8
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID5052751
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID601506403

IUPAC: Silaniumylidynemethanide
Molecular formula: CSi
Molecular weight: 40.096 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Silicon carbide appears as yellow to green to bluish-black, iridescent crystals. Sublimes with decomposition at 2700 °C. Density 3.21 g cm-3. Insoluble in water. Soluble in molten alkalis (NaOH, KOH) and molten iron. · Dry Powder, Wet Solid, CBI, Large Crystals, Other Solid, Liquid
Boiling point: Sublimes (NIOSH, 2024) · sublimes
Melting point: 4892 °F (Sublimes) (NIOSH, 2024) · 2600 °C
Solubility: Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024) · INSOL IN COLD WATER, HOT WATER, & ACID, SOL IN FUSED POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE
Density: 3.23 (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water, will sink · 3.23
Odour: odourless
Vapour pressure: 0 ㎜Hg
Water solubility: &amp, lt, 0.1 ㎎/ℓ (20℃, pH: 7)
Vapour density: 3.16~3.17 g/㎤
Relative density: 3.23
Auto-ignition temperature: 600 ℃ (1.1~1.6 Bar)
Decomposition temperature: 2700 ℃
Molecular weight: 40.07

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 12 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Processing aids not otherwise specified4
Abrasive3
Intermediate2
Surface modifier1
Brightener1
Filler1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

4 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 6 studies

Classification not possible
Skin Irritation · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: OECD Guideline 402 (Acute Dermal Toxicity) according to other guideline: EU Method B.3 (Acute Toxicity (Dermal)) according to other guideline: EPA OPPTS 870.1200 (Acute Dermal Toxicity) according to
Classification not possible
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across