Abstract: A process for the production of ceramic fibrils comprising the steps of subjecting a quantity of a catalyst for the conversion of silicon and carbon to silicon carbide under conditions of elevated temperature and the presence of a gaseous precursor for silicon and carbon, in a reaction vessel, to heating by microwave energy to a temperature not in excess of about 1300° C. for a time sufficient to disassociate said precursor into at least silicon and carbon, saturation of the catalyst with the disassociated components of the gaseous precursor and resultant growth of silicon carbide fibrils on the reaction vessel.