Abstract
The Bureau of Mines investigated a procedure to produce fine-sized titanium nitride, carbide, and carbonitride powders. These powders, because of their high hardness and abrasion resistance, can be substituted for tungsten carbide in some cutting tool applications. Titanium nitride and carbide powders can be cemented together with nickel. The investigated approach produces titanium nitride by reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium or sodium vapor in a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures between 750 and 1,050°C (1,382 and 1,922°F). Titanium carbide and titanium carbonitride can be formed by adding methane to the nitrogen atmosphere. Titanium tetrachloride reduction efficiencies as high as 98% are achieved. X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the powders contain no major impurities. Because the reactions occur in the gas phase, powders finer than 1 μm are produced.
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Author’s Note: References to specific products does not imply endorsement by the Bureau of Mines.
Donna D. Harbuck received her M.S. in metallurgy from the University of Utah in 1982. She is currently a chemical engineer of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City Research Center. She is also a member of TMS.
Charles F. Davidson received his Ph.D. in metallurgy from the University of Utah in 1977. He is currently a group supervisor at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City Research Center.
Monte B. Shirts received his M.S. in metallurgy from the University of Utah in 1962. He is currently a research supervisor at U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City Research Center.
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Harbuck, D.D., Davidson, C.F. & Shirts, M.B. Gas-Phase Production of Titanium Nitride and Carbide Powders. JOM 38, 47–50 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03258689
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03258689