| abstract |
A method of forming a sintered silicon carbide body includes mixing silicon carbide powder having an oxygen content of less than about 3 wt% and having a surface area in a range of between about 8 m /g and about 15 m /g, with boron carbide powder and carbon sintering aid to form a green silicon carbide body. Alternatively, a method of producing a sintered silicon carbide body includes mixing the silicon carbide powder with titanium carbide powder having an average particle diameter in a range of between about 5 nm and about 100 nm and with carbon sintering aid to form a green silicon carbide body. In another alternative, a method of forming a sintered silicon carbide body includes mixing silicon carbide powder with boron carbide powder, the titanium carbide powder, and carbon sintering aid to form a green silicon carbide body. After sintering, the silicon carbide bodies have a density at least 98% of the theoretical density of silicon carbide. |