A flash method for recycling insulator core rods into silicon carbide

This study aims to develop a rapid and energy-efficient method for converting waste insulator core rods into high-value silicon carbide (SiC). A current-assisted carbothermal reduction approach was proposed, and the effects of key parameters, including carbon source ratio, current intensity, and reaction duration, were systematically investigated.

The results show that both current intensity and carbon ratio significantly influence the conversion efficiency and phase composition. Under 9 A direct current for 40 s, a maximum conversion rate of 76.48% was achieved. Moreover, selective synthesis of different SiC phases was realized, with 6H‑SiC obtained at 9 A and 3C‑SiC at 5 A. The method enables rapid synthesis without conventional high-temperature furnaces, while maintaining high product purity and controllable crystal structure.

Overall, this work provides an efficient and sustainable route for recycling composite insulator core rods and producing high-value SiC materials with tunable properties.