Processing of microcellular cordierite ceramics from a preceramic polymer

A novel processing route for producing microcellular cordierite ceramics has been developed. The proposed strategy for making the microcellular cordierite ceramics involves three steps: (i) fabricating ceramic-filled preceramic foams by heating a mixture of polysiloxane, expandable microspheres, talc, and alumina in a mold, (ii) cross-linking the foamed body, and (iii) transforming the body into microcellular cordierite ceramics by sintering.