We have investigated reaction-forming of silicon carbide by the infiltration of carbonaceous preforms using alloyed silicon melts, in order to synthesize composite materials free of the residual silicon phase that has previously limited mechanical properties and upper use temperatures. In this approach, rejection of the alloying component(s) from the primary silicon carbide phase into the remaining melt results in the formation of a secondary refractory phase, such as a silicide, in place of residual free silicon. Experiments conducted in the Si-Mo melt system show that relatively dense (>90%) silicon carbide-molybdenum silicide materials free of residual silicon and residual carbon can be obtained. A model for reactive infiltration based on timedependent permeabilities is proposed. Processing variables important for control of the reaction rate relative to the infiltration rate, and associated processing flaws, are discussed. [
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