Cobalt has been found to act as a strong catalyst in increasing the formation of total SiC by decreasing the crystallization of carbon black. The formation of SiC whiskers in the presence of cobalt catalyst is found to be low. No alpha-SiC has formed in the presence of Co catalyst. With Co catalyst needle-like whiskers are formed. Without any catalyst (a) slow heating has decreased the reactivities of carbon black and rice husk silica by increasing their degree of crystallization and (b) rapid heating has increased the formation of SiC particulates. With Co catalyst rapid heating has been found to be beneficial in increasing the whisker content.