Method for producing ceramics reinforced with three-dimensional fibers

A method for the production of ceramics reinforced with three-dimensional fibers, which comprises:

• a) setting a filter plate having pores of not more than about 0.3 .mu.m in diameter in contact with one surface of a three-dimensional fiber preform and a porous metallic plate in contact with said filter plate;
• b) setting a slurry in contact with a surface of said preform opposite to said one surface, said slurry having a concentration within a range of about 100 to 200 g/l and consisting of about 70 to 90% by weight of a fine ceramic powder having a particle diameter in a range of about 0.01 to 3 .mu.m, and about 30 to 10% by weight of an organic silicon resin which is a ceramic precursor, in a solvent;
• c) exerting a pressure of not less than about 400 kgf/cm.sup.2 on said slurry at a pressing speed in a range of about 0.05 to 5 mm/min, at the same time, subjecting said preform to vacuum aspiration through said filter plate, thereby obtaining a composite having said preform impregnated with said fine ceramic powder and said organic silicon resin, said impregnation of said preform being effected in a single step;
• d) heating said composite at a temperature in a range of about 600.degree. to 1,000.degree. C. to thermally decompose said organic silicon resin;
• and
• e) firing the resultant composite at a temperature in a range of about 1,500.degree. to 2,000.degree. C.