Carbon-coated silicon carbide whiskers for controlling the formation of an oxide coating

摘要

Ceramic composites which possess improved mechanical properties, in particular, increased fracture toughness are provided by incorporating carbon coated silicon carbide whiskers in the ceramic to limit the formation of surface oxide on the whiskers. The carbon coating can be applied directly on the whiskers prior to mixing with the ceramic to form the composite or the carbon coating may be formed in-situ during sintering of the ceramic by applying an organic coating on the whiskers prior to mixing with the ceramic and carbonizing the organic coating during sintering of the composite.