Microstructure and high temperature compressive mechanical behavior of biomophic silicon carbide-based ceramics

Environment conscious ceramics (ecoceramics) are a new class of ceramic mat erials fabricated from natural wood (a renewable source). The affordable, n et shape ceramics are fabricated by pyrolysis and molten silicon infiltrati on of wood preforms. The resulting materials have complex microstructure an d multifunctional properties. The microstructure before and after high temp erature plastic deformation was studied by Scanning electron microscopy. Th ese ceramics present regions of silicon and silicon carbide that follow the fibrous microstructure of the wood selected, resulting in a structure that resembles a continuos fiber composite. This structure results in very good mechanical properties as the evolutionary process has perfected it.