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The conversion of a solid copolymer (ViSiHNH),-(MeSiHNH), into a ceramic was studied in the 2&145O"C temperature range under different atmospheres (inert or oxidative). The ceramic yield, the ceramic composition, and the gaseous evolution directly depend on the heating rate, the pyrolysis atmosphere, and the duration of pyrolysis. The implications of these observations to the pyrolysis mechanism are discussed. The silicon carbonitride obtained after pyrolysis is amorphous up to 1400°C with high carbon content. It will be shown in Parts I1 and 111 that either SIC or Si3N4 could be selectively crystallized depending upon processing conditions.