Method for producing self-supporting ceramic bodies with graded properties

摘要

A method is provided for producing a self-supporting ceramic or ceramic composite body by oxidation of a parent metal, the self-supporting body having a graded microstructure characterized by a plurality of zones differing from each other in one or more properties. The zones in the body are attained by altering the process conditions during formation of the body such that a zone of the oxidation reaction product formed posterior to said altering has at least one property different from a zone of the oxidation reaction product formed anterior to said altering.