The synthesis of ultrafine SiC powder by the microwave heating technique

Ultrafine powders of silicon carbide synthesized by microwave and conventional heating are described. Silicon carbide powders with diameters in the nanometer range were formed by reducing SiO2 with various forms of carbon in a nitrogen atmosphere. Ultrafine SiO2 powder, phenolformaldehyde resin and ultrafine carbon black were used as starting materials. The properties of the powders were determined by means of X-ray diffraction, TEM, etc. The results showed that the technique and conditions for preparing samples, as well as the temperature and type of heating, had obvious effects on the powders characteristics.