Application of carbo-thermal reduction

3 Application of carbo-thermal reduction. This is a synthesis process for the preparation of powders of carbides, nitrides and borides. Carbon may be graphite, coke, pyrolysed organic polymers. A reference process may be the Acheson process for the production of SiC  

As for the borides, the following examples may be mentioned, with an indication of the minimum temperature at which the reaction may be performed. 

A review of the preparation of transition metal carbides and related compounds was published by Windish and Nowotny (1972). The following methods were considered  

Powder metallurgical methods These include reaction of the elements and car-bothermal reduction methods. Fine powders of the metal (Hf, V, Nb, Mo, W, etc.) and carbon (graphite, lampblack) may be mixed, possibly in wet conditions with an organic solvent to be removed later, then pressed and compacted into pellets or bricks to be heated at high temperature (1800-2000°C). To perform the carbother-mal reduction, mixtures of carbon with an oxide (of Ti, V, Cr, etc.) are compacted and heated. An additional heat treatment in a high vacuum may be useful to remove O, N, etc. below a low level. 

Arc-melting Well mixed (in some cases partially pre-reacted) compacts of carbon and the metal may be reacted by melting arc-melting may be especially suitable. An advantage of melting in comparison with solid-state reactions may be related to the fact that arc-melted pieces have a smooth surface less susceptible to contamination. This method was found especially effective for refining and for the preparation of solid solutions mainly of the 4th and 5th carbides groups. 

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