Carborundum
Carborundum (kar`bo*run"dum)
[a trade name, from Carbon + corundum.]
A beautiful crystalline compound, silicon carbide (SiC), consisting of carbon and silicon in combination; -- also called carbon silicide. It is made by heating carbon and sand together in an electric furnace. The commercial article is dark-colored and iridescent. It is harder than emery, and is used as an abrasive.