Crystal growth of a certain polytype of SiC in a process of physical vapor transport was studied on the basis of classical thermodynamic nucleation theory in conjunction with numerical results obtained from a global model. Formation of a certain polytype in the nucleation stage is determined by the energy balance among surface energy, formation energy and supersaturation. The preferential growth condition of a certain polytype was estimated. The value of supersaturation was estimated using a numerical model obtained by a global model that includes species transport as well as heat transport in a furnace. The results of calculation showed that 4H polytype is more stable than 15R, 6H and 3C polytypes. Free energy difference between 4H and 6H polytypes decreased when total pressure in the furnace decreased. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.