Microstructure and properties of pore-created SiC ceramics with calcium chloride as pore former

Pore-created silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics were liquid phase sintered (LPS) by using Al2O3–Y2O3 as sintering additive and calcium chloride (CaCl2) as pore former. The CaCl2 did not react with other compositions, and accumulatively formed CaCl2 crystals on the grain boundary of SiC ceramics. The addition of CaCl2 decreased the sintering and mechanical properties of SiC ceramics, but obviously reduced the dry friction coefficient. The pores on the surface and inside of SiC ceramics could be continuously created by the solubility and non-volatility of calcium chloride.