A method of forming a monolithic structure (11, 41, 53) of a ceramic material, the method comprising (a) forming a first graphite component, the first graphite component (13, 43, 55) having at least one surface (17, 51, 61), and at least one attachment surface (19, 47) opposite the at least one surface, wherein the at least one attachment surface is formed to have a first rail and a second rail (21, 23), the first and second rails being parallel and each having an inward surface, wherein the inward surfaces are opposingly oriented; (b) forming a second graphite component (15, 45, 57), the second graphite component being a support section (15, 45, 57) having an attachment portion and a mounting portion, the attachment portion having a wall, the wall having a partially tubular shape with a semi-circular lateral cross-section, an inner surface, an outer surface and first and second attachment surfaces (31, 29) formed at opposite circumferential ends of the wall; (c) assembling the first graphite component with the second graphite component in a selected orientation, wherein the at least one attachment surface of the first graphite component is adjacent and in direct contact with the first and second attachment surfaces of the attachment portion of the support section forming a hollow between the inner surface of the wall and the at least one attachment surface and the opposite circumferential ends are positioned between the inward surfaces of the first and second rails, forming an interference fit, such that the wall of the support section extends from the at least one attachment surface and beyond first and second rails; and (d) conversion bonding the first graphite component and the second graphite component in the presence of a source of silicon, wherein the conversion bonding in the presence of a source of silicon converts the graphite of both the first graphite component and the second graphite component into silicon carbide by substituting a plurality of silicon atoms for a portion of carbon atoms in the graphite, and the first graphite component and the second graphite component are bonded into a unitary object formed as a monolithic structure. (a) forming a first graphite component, the first graphite component (13, 43, 55) having at least one surface (17, 51, 61), and at least one attachment surface (19, 47) opposite the at least one surface, wherein the at least one attachment surface is formed to have a first rail and a second rail (21, 23), the first and second rails being parallel and each having an inward surface, wherein the inward surfaces are opposingly oriented; (b) forming a second graphite component (15, 45, 57), the second graphite component being a support section (15, 45, 57) having an attachment portion and a mounting portion, the attachment portion having a wall, the wall having a partially tubular shape with a semi-circular lateral cross-section, an inner surface, an outer surface and first and second attachment surfaces (31, 29) formed at opposite circumferential ends of the wall; (c) assembling the first graphite component with the second graphite component in a selected orientation, wherein the at least one attachment surface of the first graphite component is adjacent and in direct contact with the first and second attachment surfaces of the attachment portion of the support section forming a hollow between the inner surface of the wall and the at least one attachment surface and the opposite circumferential ends are positioned between the inward surfaces of the first and second rails, forming an interference fit, such that the wall of the support section extends from the at least one attachment surface and beyond first and second rails; and (d) conversion bonding the first graphite component and the second graphite component in the presence of a source of silicon, wherein the conversion bonding in the presence of a source of silicon converts the graphite of both the first graphite component and the second graphite component into silicon carbide by substituting a plurality of silicon atoms for a portion of carbon atoms in the graphite, and the first graphite component and the second graphite component are bonded into a unitary object formed as a monolithic structure.