Method for the preparation of silicon carbide-carbon fiber composite

A method for the preparation of a silicon carbide-based composite ceramic body reinforced with carbon fibers which comprises the steps of:

• (a) mixing particles of elementary silicon and a thermosetting resin in such a proportion that the molar ratio of the silicon and the carbon in the thermosetting resin is in the range from 0.3 to 1.2 to form a mixture;
• (b) impregnating carbon fibers with the mixture prepared in step (a) to form a green carbon fiber compact impregnated with the mixture of the silicon particles and the thermosetting resin;
• (c) heating the green carbon fiber compact at a temperature in the range from 1300.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C. in an atmosphere of an inert gas to effect thermal decomposition of the thermosetting resin forming free carbon and to effect the reaction of the silicon particles with the free carbon produced from the thermosetting resin to form a silicon carbide-based porous body;
• (d) infiltrating the silicon carbide-based porous body with an organosilicon compound;
• and
• (e) calcining the silicon carbide-based porous body infiltrated with the organosilicon compound at a temperature in the range from 1000.degree. to 1700.degree. C. in an atmosphere of an inert gas.