The properties of green and reaction-bonded SiC (RBSC) samples prepared by a gelcasting technique are investigated in this paper. The results show that solid loading and monomer content of the suspension in the gelcasting process are the main factors that effect the density and shrinkage of the green bodies. A slurry with a solid loading of 58 vol% was solidified in situ to a green body with a linear shrinkage of 1.1% and flexural strength of 27 ± 2 MPa. SEM micrographs show that the SiC and C particles in the green body were closely compact by a connection of the polymer network. The maximum density and flexural strength of samples reaction sintered at 1700 oC in vacuum were 2.97 g/cm3 and 378 ± 12 MPa respectively.

Keywords: Gelcasting, Reaction-bonded SiC, Property, Sintering.