Synthesis and characterization of Si/SiC ceramics prepared using cotton fabric

A Si/SiC ceramic was prepared from cotton fabric by the reactive infiltration of liquid silicon into the carbon template. A large density difference between the samples has been observed. This may be due to the variation in the pore size and its distribution within the sample. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy shows the presence of three distinct phases, i.e., SiC, free Si and free carbon. X-ray diffraction pattern also confirms the presence of SiC and Si phases. However, there is no peak corresponding to carbon. So, it is inferred that the carbon exists in amorphous form. Micro-hardness, fracture toughness and bending strength of the ceramics were also studied. The values are lower than commercially available SiC ceramics. This may be due to the highly porous nature of cotton fabric-based SiC, as compared to commercially available SiC.