A continuous carbon fiber/silicon carbide matrix composite material has been produced by a low-cost process. In this process the space in a two-dimensional carbon fiber preform is filled with a SiC powder by a pressure infiltration method. High particle packing densities are achieved within the fiber preform in this way. The compact body is heat-treated at 400 degreesC to form a porous framework, which is then infiltrated with a liquid preceramic polymer, Ceraset (TM) SN. Subsequently the infiltrated polymer is pyrolyzed in argon at 1300 degreesC. The microstructure of the final composite is characterized, and mechanical properties of these composites are discussed.