See also - Silicon Carbide. Hot Pressed Silicon Carbide is a high density, high strength material which has been used in refractory applications for many years. It is now used for a wide range of engineering applications. Hot Pressed Silicon Carbide can be processed to close tolerances and into fairly complex shapes. Silicon Carbide can be highly polished and has potential for space-based mirrors, because of its high specific strength and stiffness compared with those of glass.