Microstructure Characterization on Silicon Carbide Formation from Natural Wood

Abstract

Dark red meranti and kapur,are two important types of wood in Malaysia were used as precursors to fabricate porous silicon carbide. A carbon template was produced by pyrolysis at 850o C in an oxygen free atmosphere. The carbon template was further subjected to infiltration process with silicon. The infiltration process was carried out in a tube furnace in argon flow at 1500o C with two different holding times; 2 hours and 3 hours. Thermo gravimetric analysis was done to investigate the decomposition behavior of the two species. The resulting silicon carbide was characterized by XRD. The formation of silicon carbide and also excess silicon were found. The microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). An increase in holding time during infiltration increased the density as well as formation of silicon carbide (SiC). Dark red meranti precursor is likely suitable for production of silicon carbide compared to kapur due to the higher SiC