Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Active-filler-controlled-polymer-pyrolysis has recently been reported as anovel processing route for preparing near-net shape bulk ceramic compositematerials. Active fillers, like Ti or Si powders, may react with solid orgaseous decomposition products of the polymer or with the heating gasatmosphere. In this study, a mixture of silicone resin (GE SR350) and Sipowder was heated at temperatures up to 1430°C in Ar or N2. Afterthe highest temperature firing, the resulting material was primarilycomprised of SiC and SiOC when the heating was performed in Ar, or of SiOC,SiC, Si3N4 and Si2N2O when theheating was performed in N2. The evolution of the microstructureof the ceramic composite was followed by DTA-TGA, FT-IR and XRD.