Pillared Smectite Clay Coatings for Ceramic-Matrix Composites.-A novel route for the low-temp. formation of mullite is described that uses pillared smectite clays as precursor. In particular, alumina-pillared bentonite converts in part to mullite at a temp. as low as 800 • C. The clay precursors display excellent film-forming capability and have been coated on SiC fibers. Hot-pressed composites of the clay-coated fibers and borosilicate glass show considerable debonding in indentation tests and the characteristics of a tough material: multiple matrix cracking and a nonlinear stress-strain response prior to peak stress. -(JAGOTA, S.; HARMER, M. A.; LEMON, M. F.; JAGOTA, A.; MCCARRON, E. M. III; J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 78 (1995) 8, 2243-2247; Cent. Res. Dev., E. I. du Pont NemoursPCo., Exp. Stn., Wilmington, DE 19880-0356, USA; EN)