Density of the samples was determined by the
Archimedes method (ASTM C373). Polished and
plasma etched (70%CF4–30%O2) sintered SiC samples
were observed using scanning electron microscopy
(SEM; LEO 438-VP). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis
was used to determine the qualitative composition in
terms of crystalline phases of the sintered samples.