Abstract
Porous carbon fiber composites (CFCs) having variable specific surface area ranging 35~1150 $\m^2$/g were reacted to produce silicon carbide fiber composites with SiO vapor generated from a mixture of Si and $SiO_2$ at 1673 K for 2 h under vacuum. Part of SiO vapor generated during conversion process condensed on to the converted fiber surface as amorphous silica. Chemical analysis of the converted CFCs resulting from reaction showed that the products contained 27~90% silicon carbide, 7~18% amorphous silica and 3~63% unreacted carbon, and the composition depended on the specific carbide, 7~18% amorphous silica and 3~63% unreacted carbon, and the composition depended on the specific surface area of CFCs. CFC of higher specific surface area yielded higher degree of conversion of carbon to silicon and conversion products of lower mechanical strength due to occurrence of cracks in the converted caron fiber. As the conversion of carbon to silicon carbide proceeded, pore size of converted CFCs increased as a result of growth of silicon carbide crystallites, which is also linked to the crack formation in the converted fiber.