A metal carbide ceramic fiber having improved mechanical properties and characteristics and improved processes and chemical routes for manufacturing metal carbide ceramic fiber. Metal carbide ceramic fibers may be formed via reaction bonding of a metal-based material (e g, boron) with the inherent carbon of a earner medium, such as rayon. One embodiment includes a method of making a metal carbide ceramic fiber using Viscose Suspension Spinning Process (VSSP) to produce high yield boron carbide fiber. Embodiments of the improved method allow high volume production of high density boron carbide fiber.