The metal organic framework material Cu-3(btc)(2)3H(2)O (HKUST-1) was grown on differently activated oxide-bonded SiC ceramic foams with varying pore sizes. Activation was performed by an alkaline etching procedure under dissolution of the SiO2 binder phase in the ob-SiC microstructure leading to an increase in strut surface roughness. The influence of foam pore size, etching conditions (duration, temperature) and the effect of a subsequent alumina coating to increase the coverage with -OH moieties was studied. The activated foams and MOF@ob-SiC composites were characterized by microstructural analysis, H2O adsorption and thermal conductivity measurements.