Al2O3-SiCw composites were prepared by carbothermal reduction of coal series kaolin (CSK).
SiC whiskers with high thermal conductivity were in-situ formed by carbothermal reduction.
Silicon was added to consume silica residual in CSK for synthesizing more SiC whiskers.
Silicon shew great effects on improving SiC yield and properties of the composites.
The excess silicon additive (8 wt%) would change the growth mechanism of SiC whiskers.