Development of multi-phase B-Si-C ceramic composite by reaction sintering

A dense ceramic composite in the system B-C-Si has been synthesized by the reaction sintering technique based on infiltration of silicon melt at 1550 degrees C under vacuum into a porous compact made of boron carbide and petroleum coke powder. The final material is around 99% dense and microstructurally contains B4C, SiC and Si as the major phases. The B4C-phase reacted at its interface with Si-phase, which is explained in terms of dissolution of Si in the carbide phase. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.