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 °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.