Production of improved SiC and SiCN ceramics from polycarbosilane and polysilazane composites

With the aim of modifying the composition and microstructure of SiC and SiCN ceramics, we have investigated different reactive additives for polymer derived ceramic (PDC) precursors as well as changes in processing conditions (polymerization conditions, sintering conditions, etc.). Different concentrations of additive were dispersed in commercial carbosilane and silazane resins to give preceramic composites, which were pyrolyzed to ceramics. By adjusting the ratio of additive, the microstructure of resultant ceramics was affected as are the electrical and mechanical properties.