In　this　study,　we　combined　the　traditional　vacuum　furnace　with　a　sur-high　accuracy　vacuum　gauge　for　measuring　the　change　of　gas　pressure　in　the　furnace　as　a　function　of　temperature.　The　modified　vacuum　furnace　was　used　for　preparing　silicon　carbide　(SiC),　and　the　recorded　data　named　thermobarogram　were　applied　to　detect　the　reaction　temperature　for　synthesis　of　SiC,　which,　in　particular,　changes　as　catalysts　are　used.　The　results　showed　that　the　carbothermal　reduction　temperature　for　synthesizing　SiC,　under　dynamic　vacuum　condition,　would　decrease　to　850　°C　when　the　mole　ratio　of　Fe/Si=0.06　was　employed　in　the　SiC　precursor.　©　2007　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.