a method is provided for forming items from ecoceramic - based silicon - carbide . a wood preform is machined to a general shape having over - or undersized dimensions . the preform is pyrolyzed to transform the wood of the preform to a porous , carbonaceous material that retains the general shape of the preform . the preform is then machined to final , net - shape dimensions and immersed in liquid silicon or silicon alloy that penetrates and infuses the preform . the infused preform is held at a temperature sufficient to cause the transformation of the material in the preform to silicon carbide , completing formation of the item . also provided is a method of forming ecoceramic - based tooling and composite components using the tooling .