Cordierite-bonded porous SiC ceramics were synthesized from SiC, Al2O3 and MgO powders with varying petroleum coke (PC) as the sacrificial pore former. To trace the path of development of the oxide binder phase and mechanistic steps of oxidation reaction of a PC pore former powder, thermal analysis (up to 1400 degrees C in air) of the precursor powders was studied with non-isothermal method varying different heating rates. The results indicated the transformation of cordierite binder phase and the average activation energy was determined to be 840 +/- 27 kJ mol(-1). The formation of the oxide binder phase (cristobalite (24-31 wt%) and cordierite (21-28 wt%)) and pore phase (porosity of 30-67 vol% and average pore size of 3-36 mu m) were further analysed by conducting X-ray diffraction test, chemical analysis and microstructure examination for better understanding the formation of the pore phase and the binder phases of the ceramics for its applicability in the field of porous media at hostile conditions.