Carborundum /(kär`bō̇*rŭn"dŭm)/

Car·bo·run·dum

Carborundum
  1. 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.