ABSTRAK
This work investigated the use of carbon fiber and silica fume as a source of raw material for the production of silicon carbide whisker. Carbon and silica fume as the starting materials in the ratio of 7:10 by weight, were mixed in a jar mill for 8 hour. This mixture was then charged in an alumina crucible and heated at 1500"C for 1 hour with a heating rate of 2"C/min. in argon atmosphere having flow rate of 2 liter/min. The product contained silicon carbide, silica, and excess carbon. To remove the residual carbon, the product was put in a furnace and heated at 900°C for 1 hour. Its silica contents was eliminated by dissolving it in a boiling NaOH solution. The final product was silicon carbide in the form of particulate, needle-like SiC whisker, wool-like SiC whisker, and long SiC whisker.
Key words: SiC whisker, carbon fiber, silica fume
