Method for making self-protecting carbon bodies

A method of forming a coated article is described. The article is composed of a carbon body having a thermochemically deposited coating which renders the body resistant to oxidation at high temperatures. A volatile gaseous halide of silicon is partially reduced to form a lower halide in a first reaction zone having a first pressure and separated from the body. The lower halide is flowed into a second reaction zone maintained at a pressure lower than the pressure in the first reaction zone. A gaseous alloying agent is introduced into the second reaction zone. The agent includes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of carbon, oxygen, aluminum, and nitrogen. As a consequence, a liquid phase intermediate compound is deposited on the substrate body which is thereafter thermochemically reacted to produce a coating of the silicon alloy. The coating has a non-columnar grain distribution with substantially equiaxial grains of an average diameter of less than one micron and forms a correspondingly fine crack mosaic upon stressing due to differences in thermal coefficients of expansion between the coating and the body. The lower halide and the alloying agent are controlled so as to produce a coating wherein the amount of silicon is substantially in excess of stoichiometry.