Composite material based on silicon carbide and carbon, process for its production and its use

A ceramic composite material with a density of >90% of the theoretical density based on SiC and carbon comprising a silicon carbide content of between 99.9% by weight and 70% by weight and a carbon content of between 0.1% by weight and 30% by weight, the SiC having a microstructure with a bimodal grain structure;

• wherein the % by weight of SiC and carbon is based upon the total weight of the ceramic composite material;
• (a) a mean grain size of all SiC grains is >10 μm;
• (b) the bimodal grain structure of the SiC microstructure is formed from an equiaxial fine grain fraction, with a mean grain size of <10 μm and in an amount of between 10 and 50 percent by area, and a coarse grain fraction, with a mean grain size of between 10 and 1000 μm and in an amount of between 50 and 90 percent by area, said area in each case measured on a polished, planar ceramographic section, and wherein
• (c) the carbon has a mean grain size of <10 μm.