Abstract: A process for preparing a material includes preparing a preform having carbon particles and a carrier material. A first end of a wick, made of a material that is wetted by liquid silicon, is contacted to the preform. The wick and the preform are heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of silicon, so that silicon flows along the wick to the preform. The silicon reacts with the carbon particles to form silicon carbide. At least a portion of the reaction of carbon and silicon is performed in an atmosphere containing a source of nitrogen and substantially free of oxygen, so that free silicon reacts to form silicon nitride.