Oxidation behavior of green coke-based carbon–ceramic composites incorporating micro- and nano-silicon carbide

The oxidation resistance of the carbon–ceramic composites developed using green coke-based carbon and carbon black as carbon source, boron carbide, and micro- and nano-silicon carbide was carried out in the temperature range of 800 to 1,200 °C. Silicon carbide particulate as such and silicon carbide obtained by the reaction of green coke and silicon provided micro silicon carbide while silicon and carbon black and sol–gel silica and carbon black used as silicon carbide precursors led to the formation of nano-silicon carbide. The oxidation resistance of these composites at 800 to 1,200 °C for 10 h showed that the size of the silicon carbide influenced the oxidation resistance. The weight gain due to protective coating formed on oxidation was higher in composites containing nano-silicon carbide as compared to the composites containing micro silicon carbide.