Production of High Aspect Ratio Silicon Carbide Fibres by Thermal Plasma Method

Abstract

An attempt has been made to prepare β-SiC fibres by the reaction of SiO vapour with ‘C’ fibres at a temperature > 1600°C in an extended arc thermal plasma reactor. The ‘C’ fibres prepared by the thermal pyrolysis of cotton fibres are made to react with SiO vapour generated during the plasma heating of (SiO₂ + Si) charge at a temperature > 1600°C. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the formation of β-SiC fibres. The SEM studies reveal that the fibres thus synthesised have high aspect ratio with an average diameter of 10–12 μm and an average length of 250 μm.