SmarTech Analysis Report Identifies Silicon Carbide Additive Manufacturing as a Material Opportunity

SmarTech Analysis, a provider of industry analysis and market forecasting data to the additive manufacturing industry, has released its first market study on the additive manufacturing of silicon carbide ceramics (SiC). In the report, the firm looks at upcoming development in the adoption of technologies for silicon carbide part production, resulting in an overall $530 million yearly revenue opportunity by 2029, including nearly $400 million in yearly revenues from silicon carbide applications and parts.

This report seeks to present opportunities related to the implementation of SiC materials in AM, including the currently most adoption-ready processes such as binder jetting, laser sintering and ceramic filament extrusion processes, along with all processes that may present opportunities down the line, including photopolymerization and material nanoparticle jetting.

More details of the report including a table of contents and sample can be found here. 

About the Report

This report covers and forecasts revenues associated with all emerging areas of AM where silicon carbide materials can be implemented. Materials forecasts include reaction bonded SiC, pressureless sintered SiC, recrystallized SiC and SiC nanoparticles. Firms included in this report include ExOne, SGL Carbon, Lithoz, Schunk Carbon Technologies, XJet, SiCeram and Nanoe.

The 10-year forecasts contained in this report break out the market for SiC in the AM sector by hardware types, SiC material types, services and applications (adoption segments). Both revenue ($ Millions) and volume (units/Kg shipped) are considered in the forecasts.

From the Report

The overall silicon carbide market is expected to be valued between $6 and $10 billion million by 2025, growing at compound annual growth rates between 15% and of 17% through 2025.

SmarTech sees SiC to growing into a $530 million global market opportunity over the next decade. This forecast is based on several assumptions on current technological developments as well as current viable commercial opportunities. The key element to consider here is that printed parts will represent by far the largest revenue opportunity, generating as much an 80% of overall revenues and driving the market for SiC-specific AM hardware.

Due to the low cost of SiC powder, combined with the relatively small size of parts produced by AM, the overall market for SiC material is expected to remain a rather small revenue opportunity, peaking at $5 million yearly at the end of the forecast period. Because SiC in powder form is so affordable compared to other advanced ceramics, it provides an interesting value proposition for AM, according to SmarTech Analysis.

The defense industry is currently the largest adopter of 3D printed SiC parts, which are used for missile control system as well as, potentially, for lightweight armor components. Another common first adoption segment is production of kiln furniture elements and in general the heat management industry, with current applications in heat exchange systems as well.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.