Abstract: The open cell silicon carbide reticulated ceramics were prepared by impregnating a polyurethane sponge with aqueous ceramic slurry. TG-DTA
analysis of the polyurethane sponge was used to determine the global thermal cycle for the consolidation of the porous ceramic bodies.
A thixotropical slurry by adding effective rheological agents was optimized to uniformly coat the polyurethane sponge. The effect of
processing conditions on properties of the sintered was studied. The effect of binders on processing was discussed in detail and it
was found that colloidal silica is an effective binder. The structure of the sintered bodies were characterized by SEM and the phases of the
sintered bodies were determined by XRD. Some properties including bulk density, strut density, porosity and strength of the sintered bodies,
were characterized. The SiC reticulated ceramics, having 75%～85% porosity and bending strength as high as 2.5MPa, can be obtained under
firing temperature 1450℃ for 1h. The phases of the fired bodies are composed of α-SiC, α-Al₂O₃, cristobalite and mullite.

Key words: ceramics, reticulated silicon carbide, binder, slurry