Preparation of Fine-Grained SiC Ceramics from Pyrolyzed Polycarbosilane

Abstract

Dense, (> 99% of theoretical) fine-grained SiC ceramics were fabricated by a hot-pressing technique using very fine, crystalline SiC powders made from polycarbosilane. The grain sizes were {approx} 0.3 or 0.7 {mu}m when they were hot-pressed at 1,800{degree}C with Al or at 2,050{degree}C with AlN, respectively. Fabrication processes, the characteristics of the synthesized starting SiC powders, and the microstructures and properties of the SiC ceramics were investigated.