Effect of processing on the microstructure and crystalline phase composition of wood derived porous SiC ceramics

Pine (Pinus silvestris) wood samples were dried and impregnated with a SiO2 sol from a sol–gel process. The impregnation involved a two step process in a custom-made apparatus. Impregnated samples were dried and pyrolised at 500 °C under an oxygen-free atmosphere. SiC synthesis was performed in a high-temperature furnace in an argon atmosphere at a temperature of 1600 °C for 2, 4 and 8 h. The samples were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The changes in the SiC synthesis time at the maximum temperature lead to changes in the microstructure and crystalline phase composition. An increase in the synthesis time opens up the possibility to produce mainly α-SiC crystalline modification containing porous SiC ceramics.