Preparation of nanopowders of carbides and hard-alloy mixtures applying low-temperature plasma

Abstract

The preparation of nanodimensional powders of tungsten carbides, as well as other transitionmetal carbides, using plasma-chemical reduction synthesis are investigated. The main regularities of preparing powders of specified dispersity and composition are revealed. Characteristic particle sizes of carbides are 40–80 nm. In order to prepare a homogeneous mixture of WC-Co nanoparticles with an exact weight content, the procedure of deposition of cobalt on the tungsten carbide powder with the simultaneous introduction of an additive of inhibitor carbides such as carbides of chromium, vanadium, and tantalum is developed. The prepared powders were investigated using modern methods, including high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and fractional gas analysis.