Abstract: Reaction-bonded SiC is made by steps which include preparing a porous preform of particulate SiC and a carbon yielding binder, heating the preform in to convert the binder to carbon, and while the preform in a vacuum or inert atmosphere is in contact with a compacted silicon cake made from particulate silicon and a carbon yielding binder, to cause melting and migration into the preform of silicon from the silicon cake, wherein the silicon cake is made essentially of silicon metal in flake form and the binder, and the binder when mixed with the silicon is in such liquid state that it forms a coating on the surfaces of substantially all the silicon flakes.