Synthesis of mullite bonded porous SiC ceramics by a liquid precursor infiltration method: Effect of sintering temperature on material and mechanical properties

Mullite bonded porous SiC ceramics were synthesized by infiltrating a SiC porous compact with a liquid precursor of mullite followed by sintering at 1300–1500 °C in air. Different volume fractions (0–0.26%) of petroleum coke powder were used as pore former. SiC particles bonded by mullite and oxidation derived SiO2 formed an interconnected porous network. Porosity varied in a range of 31–48 vol%. The flexural strength and the Youngʹs modulus of the porous ceramics varied in the ranges of 19.3–43.8 MPa and 16.6–42.9 GPa respectively and the mechanical property–porosity relationship could be explained by the minimum solid area (MSA) model.