Abstract: A silicon carbide ceramic body having a high degree of lubricity as a result of large graphite inclusions in the body. The graphite inclusions have an average size of at least about 100 micrometers. The graphite-loaded silicon carbide component is preferably formed by spray drying graphite particles independent of the silicon carbide, blending the graphite agglomerates and silicon carbide to form a raw batch, forming the raw batch into a green body, and sintering the green body to produce a graphite-loaded silicon carbide ceramic body having good density and good strength.