Biomorphic SiC: A new engineering ceramic material

Abstract

Biomorphic SiC (bioSiC) ceramics are a new class of materials produced with natural, renewable resources (wood or wood-based products). A wide variety of Si/SiC composites can be fabricated by melt Si-infiltration of wood and cellulose-derived carbonaceous templates. This technology provides a low-cost and eco-friendly route to advanced ceramic materials, with near-net shape potential. BioSiC materials have tailorable microstructure and properties, and behave like ceramic materials manufactured by conventional approaches. Several applications, with different technological levels and developed in collaboration with industry, are presented in this paper.