Chemically modified polycarbosilane (PC) which contains Si-Al-C-O component
, PCOAl, was synthesized using PC and aluminum triisopropoxide. Ceramic yie
ld was greatly improved through the modification of PC with a metal alkoxid
e, The phase transformation behavior and microstructure development of sili
con carbide (SiC) were studied on beta-SIC powders coated with chemically m
odified PC. The beta-alpha phase transformation of SiC was enhanced by the
coating of chemically modified PC on beta-SiC powder. A unique microstructu
re with submicron-sized plate-like grains was developed, since the fine alp
ha phase produced at low temperature served as a nucleation site for the be
ta-alpha phase transformation of SiC.