Influence of gas environment on synthesis of silicon carbide through reaction between silicon and amorphous carbon in a solar furnace at PSA (Plataforma Solar de Almeria)

Silicon carbide (SiC) was synthesized from compacted pellet composed of Si powders and amorphous carbon powders through heating in solar furnace under controlled atmosphere (Ar or N-2). Under irradiation of the solar energy flux 1350 kW/m(2) (ca. 1650 degrees C in terms of measured temperature) for 30 min, Si was completely converted to SiC in Ar atmosphere while the conversion was incomplete in N-2.