Silicon carbide ceramic components having oxide layer

A ceramic component, comprising:

• a ceramic body comprising silicon carbide and an oxide layer, said oxide layer formed by oxidation of the ceramic body having a coating of alumina, the alumina having a particle size less than 1.0 micron, the oxide layer containing an amorphous matrix phase comprising silica and a crystalline phase provided in the amorphous matrix phase, the crystalline phase comprising anisotropically-shaped crystals comprising at least one of alumina and an aluminosilicate, the amorphous matrix phase and the crystalline phase forming an adherent, uniform conformal layer that covers the ceramic body.