Effects of SiC addition on the structure and properties of reticulated porous mullite ceramics

Reticulated porous mullite ceramics (mullite RPCs) were produced by the polymer replica method using alpha alumina and kaolin to form in situ mullite. Up to 30% particulate silicon carbide (SiCp) was added to ceramic mixtures to explore its effect on the structure and properties of the sintered products. The ceramic slurry was coated onto polyurethane sponge using preset roller method, then recoating was applied by the spray coating technique. The strength of the mullite RPCs was found to depend greatly on the phase composition of the structures and on the amount of SiCp addition.