Synthesis of B<sub>4</sub>C/SiC Composite from Sugar Based Precursor

Abstract

In the present study, a method based on sulfuric acid dehydration of sugar was developed to synthesize a precursor material, which can yield B4C/SiC composites at much lower temperatures compared to traditional carbothermal methods. The precursor material for pure B4C was heat treated at the temperatures between 400 and 1600oC under inert atmosphere. The precursor material for B4C /SiC composites was heat treated only at 1600oC under an inert atmosphere. Then the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that B-C bonds formed as low as 400oC. On the other hand, crystallized B4C and B4C / SiC composites can be obtained at the heat treatment temperatures between 1400 and 1600oC.