Abstract
Pressureless-sintering of SiC with additions of yttria and alumina was studied. SiC could be densified to about 97% of its theoretical density at 185$0^{\circ}C$ which is about 20$0^{\circ}C$ below the normal sintering temperature of SiC with boron and carbon. Yttria and alumina formed intergranular liquid phases at the sintering temperature and promoted densification by the liquid phase sintering mechanism. The microstructure of sintered specimens was equiaxed and the liquid phase appeared to wet and dissolve SiC grains. The fracture toughness was measured by indentation method and found to be 5.3MPa.m1/2. Processing flaws near the surface of specimens appeared to be the major fracture origin during 3-point bending tests.