Morphology of carbon-based composite materials obtained from pyrolysis of a coal tar pitch admixed with selected silicon-bearing additives is discussed based on SEM/EDX observations, mercury porosimetry, BET surface area determinations, and helium density data. The silicon precursors used in the study included elemental silicon Si, silica SiO2, poly(carbomethylsilane) {-CH2-SiH(CH3)-}(n), and commercial SiC. Each individual binary mixture, i.e. pitch/silicon additive, was first repeatedly homogenized at 160 C in the liquid medium of the molten pitch followed by carbonization at 500 degrees C. In all cases, one part of the initial 500 degrees C solid carbonizate was further pyrolyzed at 1300 degrees C and another part at 1650 degrees C under an argon flow resulting in nanocomposite products C/SiC. Differences in properties and morphology of the products were linked to specific chemical changes taking place in the reaction systems.