Fabrication of SiC by carbothermal-reduction reactions of mountain leather asbestos

Fibrous magnesium silicate (Mg6Si4O10(OH)8: mountain leather asbestos) of Serbian origin was used as Si precursor for the synthesis of SiC by carbothermal-reduction process. As a reducing agent, carbon (from various precursors) was used. Formation of β-SiC was confirmed by XRD and SEM/EDS analyses. Porous SiC particles obtained at 1873 K possess longish plate-like morphology. The results show that reduction reaction is assisted by liquid phase formation, as well as vapor phase transport, and that mountain leather asbestos can be very effective mineral precursor for preparation of silicon carbide.