Carborundum Abrasive

Transmitted Off Crossed Polarized Light Illumination

Carborundum is a man-made abrasive. Its presence in a sample indicates the use of abrasives and not the presence of natural minerals. It is often a low level impurity in abrasive products containing primarily garnet, or corundum (emery). When it is found with these minerals it suggests that these two natural minerals are present not as natural background but rather as an abrasive assemblage. Carborundum, also known as silicon carbide, at trace levels indicates that the presence of abrasive assemblages should be investigated in the sample.