Synthesis of Nano-Crystalline TiC Powder from Active Impure Ti Chips via Self Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis and the Effect of Al on the Synthesis Temperature

Abstract

In this research, the possibility of production of TiC powder from inexpensive raw materials via simple methods has been investigated. Impure Ti chips, carbon black and Al powder were activated by a highenergy ball mill. Then they were synthesized by the method of self propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) at various temperatures. XRD study indicated that TiC within 1000 °C to 1300 °C temperature range has been synthesized where the temperature in a sample containing Al was less than 1000 °C. From the broadening of the diffraction lines in the XRD patterns, it was concluded that the TiC crystallites were nanosized and the lattice parameter had deviated slightly from the standard size. The existence of Al increased the lattice parameter of TiC and the strain in the process.