Polyacrylamide ( PAAM) coating layer was formed by chemical methods on the SiC powder surface. The surface characteristics of polyacrylamide (PAAM)-coated silicon carbide (SiC) powder were analyzed. The carbonyl band of amide and NH2 deformation absorbing band existed at 1638 cm(-1), 1619 cm(-1) in the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (IR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed clearly the powder was coated by an organic compound layer which was PAAM judged by the reaction. The result of Differential Scanning Thermal Analyses (DSC) and Thermogravimetic (TG) showed the oxidizing decomposion temperature of PAAM was 411.9degreesC. The coating layer changed the surface characteristics of the SiC powder. At pH = 5, the suspensions of homogeneity and stability with 55 vol% solid content was prepared. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.