Process for producing ceramic composites

Abstract

Ceramic powders selected from the group (a) consisting of ZrB.sub.2, HfB.sub.2, ZfC, ZrN and HfN and ceramic powders selected from the group (b) consisting of TiC, TiN and TiO.sub.2 are mixed, the mixture is sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, a substitution reaction of chemical elements between the compound of the ceramic powders of the group (a) and the compound of the ceramic powders of the group (b) is caused in the sintering, and a ceramic composite substantially comprising compounds which do not belong to the groups (a) and (b) is produced by the substitution reaction. By this process, the affection of the particle size and the aggregation of raw powders to the sintering can be greatly reduced, the ranges of the applicable sintering conditions can be broadened, and dense ceramic composites having fine crystal grains and having excellent mechanical properties can be obtained.