In this Letter, we report the synthesis of cone-shaped 6H-SiC nanorods by an arc-discharge process. The axis of nanorods is preferentially along the (10 (1) over bar0) direction. The diameters of the thin tips are about 10-30 nm, and the lengths range from tens of nanometers up to 1 mum. Branched nanostructures are also formed and the branches form 60degrees or 120degrees angles with the main nanorods, The formation of gradually enlarged Fe-Al-Si-C droplets and their high-enthalpy have led to the growth of cone-shaped hexagonal structure SiC nanorods by a VLS mechanism. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.