Fabrication and Characterization of Near‐Net‐Shape In Situ Reaction‐Bonded Porous Cordierite/SiC Ceramics

Porous cordierite/ S i C ceramics were fabricated by in situ reaction bonding using α‐ S i C , α‐ A l 2 O 3, and M g O powders as the starting materials. During sintering, part S i C is oxidized to S i O 2 and then the latter reacts with A l 2 O 3 and M g O to form cordierite. As a result, porous cordierite/ S i C ceramics were obtained, and the ceramics are strengthened by the residual S i C . Due to the large volume expansion introduced by the oxidation of S i C , the ceramics exhibit small sintering‐induced dimension variations. In addition, a fine‐grained microstructure and good thermal and mechanical properties were obtained for the porous cordierite/ S i C ceramics.