Formation of silicon carbide from rice hulls

SiC whiskers and particles have been produced from rice hulls. The process involves three major steps: coking in free air, reaction at high temperature in a reducing atmosphere of hydrogen gas, and separation of formed SiC from excess carbon by wet methods. The processing steps are reviewed and the chemistry of the process is discussed. The produced SiC was added to a molten Zn–5%Al alloy to check its potency as a reinforcing material. © 1998 Published on behalf of Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Resume Des barbes et des particules de SiC ont été produites à partir d'enveloppes de riz. Le processus implique trois é tapes majeures: cokefaction a l'air libre, réaction à haute température dans une atmosph è re reductrice de gaz hydrogene et separation du SiC forme de l'exces de carbone par des methodès humldes. On revoie les etapes de traitement et on discute de la chimie du processus. On a ajoute le SiC ainsi produit à un alliage fondu de Zn–5%Al afin de verifier son potentiel comme matériau de reforcement. © 1998 Published on behalf of Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy by Elsevier ScienceLtd. All nghts reserved.