What Mineral Is Used in Sandpaper?

Silicon carbide is an extremely hard synthetic mineral, composed of silicon and carbon atoms, that is widely used as an abrasive in a variety of applications, including sandpaper.

It is created by heating a mixture of silica (silicon dioxide) and carbon at extremely high temperatures in an electric furnace.

The resulting silicon carbide crystals are then crushed and graded to produce various grits, or particle sizes, for sandpaper. Silicon carbide sandpaper is valued for its exceptional hardness, durability, and sharpness, making it suitable for sanding various materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and fiberglass.