Thermal conductivity of the SiC/Si biomorphic composite, a new cellular ecoceramic

The thermal conductivity κ and electrical resistivity ρ of a SiC/Si biomorphic composite were measured at temperatures T = 5–300 K. The composite is a cellular ecoceramic fabricated by infiltrating molten Si into the channels of a cellular carbon matrix prepared via pyrolysis of wood (white eucalyptus) in an argon ambient. The κ( T ) and ρ( T ) relations were measured on a sample cut along the direction of tree growth. The experimental results obtained are analyzed.