HEAT TREATING SILICON CARBIDE ARTICLES

摘要

A process for heat-treating a silicon carbide article to remove residual amounts of free carbon and graphite is provided. The process includes supplying a silicon carbide article and heating the silicon carbide article within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined time period. The heating is performed in the presence of an oxidizing agent. As a result, gaseous products, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, are liberated containing byproducts formed by oxidizing free carbon and graphite to remove the residual free carbon and graphite. Gases are produced as a result of the heating of the silicon carbide article. Particles are removed from the silicon carbide article without forming an oxide layer upon the silicon carbide article. As a result, the silicon carbide article is substantially free of carbon and graphite inclusions.