Preceramic Polymers: Past, Present and Future

Abstract : A review of preceramic polymer chemistry is given. Preceramic polymers are needed because of high technology applications which arose in our aerospace age. A discussion of the early work in Germany and Japan leads to an enumeration of the requirements that must be met if a polymer is to be a useful precursor in pyrolytic ceramic synthesis. Seven current research directions in preceramic polymer chemistry are discussed and the at present uncertain future of preceramic polymer technology is pointed out.