A novel pathway of solution combustion synthesis of silicon carbide and SiC based composite whiskers

Silicon carbide whiskers and fiber-like structures are of keen interest because of their useful mechanical properties at high temperatures, as well as their reinforcing ability in metal and ceramic matrix composites. An interestingly unique approach has been taken in the current work to grow whiskers of silicon carbide-based composite through simultaneous utilization of solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and high-speed temperature scanner (HSTS). In particular, a homogeneous mixture of silicon oxide, carbon and alumina was firstly produced by combustion synthesis of alumina impregnated solution of silicon dioxide gel and alanine in the presence of ammonium nitrate as an auxiliary oxidant. By the next step, the pellet obtained from the SCS product was heated up to 1600oC by HSTS setup leading to the formation of silicon carbide whiskers in the alumina matrix.