H&X silicon carbide is produced with high temperature in a electric resistant furnace from a mixture of quartz sand and petroleum coke. Its hardness is between that of fused alumina and synthetic diamond and mechancial intensity of it is also greater than that of fused alumina. It is brittle and very sharp and has a certain degree of electrical and heat conductivity. Black silicon carbide is typically used for working on cast iron ,non-ferrous metals, stone, leather, rubber, and other materials which requires sharp cutting characteristics. The mineral is also used widely as a refractory material and metallurgical additive.