SiC was electrochemically coated with ZrO2 and with Al2O3 from 0.1 M a
queous solutions of metal-nitrate-hydrates with ethanol added. Amorpho
us zirconia and alumina coatings were formed with current densities fr
om 10 to 70 mA cm(-2), and deposition durations of 1-60 min. The as-de
posited coatings contained microcracks caused by drying shrinkage. Sin
tering of zirconia at 900 degrees C for 1 h and of alumina at 1200 deg
rees C for 2 h in air was accompanied by crystallization to a mixture
of tetragonal and monoclinic phases in the former and to alpha-alumina
in the latter. The absence of intermediate phases between the coating
s and the substrates and the good adherence of the sintered coatings i
ndicate the high-temperature stability of these coatings.