This paper describes the use of a bi-component mixture of poly(methylsilylene), PMS, and tetra-allylsilane, TAS, in variable composition, as a pyrolytic precursor to SIG. The ceramic products were characterized by elemental analysis, Si-29 MAS NMR, actual density measurements, XRD and TEM. The PMS/TAS mixture produces, in an appropriate ratio, near-stoichiometric SIC with an apparent composition of 99% SIC and 1% C, after pyrolysis up to 1000 degrees C under inert atmosphere, in a reasonable yield. (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.341155159