| abstract |
Compositions and methods of making ceramic plates are described. The compositions are water-based slurries that include filler material, one or more clay components, one or more strength or processing additives, and/or a carbon source. The filler material can include a first grade of boron carbide having a relatively large average particle size, a second grade of boron carbide having an intermediate average particle size, a third grade of boron carbide having a fine average particle size, and/or a silicon carbide having a fine average particle size. The methods of the invention involve casting and drying the slurry to make a substantially dry preform, providing a silicon loaf having a solid form for supporting one or more preforms, placing the substantially dry preform on top of the silicon loaf inside of an infiltration furnace and heating the substantially dry preform and loaf to melt silicon within the loaf and infiltrate the perform to create a ceramic plate. |