In the reaction process of formulating carbides, a carbon source with specific requirement is needed as reactive component. Selected special carbon black have high reactivity, high purity, show low ash and alkali and earth alkali content. Ceramics / carbides manufactured with such high-quality carbon black show very low defects.

An example for such a reaction is the manufacturing of Boron Carbide:
2 B₂O₃ + 7C =  B₄C + 6 CO₂

Such ceramics / carbides can be found often in high-quality cutting tools, used as grinding a polishing material (as special types show a very high hardness). In most cases the ball in a ballpoint-pen is a carbide. Carbide plates are used in many bullet-proof vests to absorb the bullet energy.