a binary compound of carbon with a more electropositive element
See also acetylide
2. calcium carbide
carbide in American English
(ˈkɑrˌbaɪd)
noun
a solid compound of an element, usually a metal, with carbon; esp., calcium carbide
Word origin
carb- + -ide
All related terms of 'carbide'
boron carbide
a black extremely hard inert substance having a high capture cross section for thermal neutrons . It is used as an abrasive , refractory , and in control rods in nuclear reactors . Formula: B 4 C
calcium carbide
a grey salt of calcium used in the production of acetylene (by its reaction with water) and calcium cyanamide . Formula: CaC 2
silicon carbide
an extremely hard bluish-black insoluble crystalline substance produced by heating carbon with sand at a high temperature and used as an abrasive and refractory material. Silicon carbide whiskers have a high tensile strength and are used in composites ; very pure crystals are used as semiconductors . Formula: SiC
tungsten carbide
a fine very hard crystalline grey powder produced by heating tungsten and carbon to a very high temperature: used in the manufacture of drill bits , dies, etc. Symbol: WC; melting pt: 2870°C
tungsten carbide insert studded bit
A tungsten carbide insert studded bit is a drill bit in the form of a steel tube with a bottom rim that has pieces of tungsten carbide (= a hard gray chemical compound) in it.