Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Carbides by Reaction Milling

Metal carbides possess unusual properties that make them desirable and useful engineering materials for many industrial applications. Here a systematic investigation is made with respect to the preparation in bulk, characterization and utilization of carbides. Three industrially important carbides viz., cementite, silicon carbide and titanium carbide were synthesized from elemental constituents by reaction milling which shows that it is highly viable and cost effective alternative. These are synthesized up to 1 kg in batch from their corresponding elemental constituents by reaction milling in a specially built dual drive planetary mill. The process is engineered at room temperature that obviates the need for expensive high temperature reaction equipments. Another advantage is that the final powder product is fine, homogeneous, and nano crystalline that can then be easily shaped and consolidated using conventional powder metallurgy processes. There is plenty of scope for improved design of the milling system with enhanced energy efficiency to make reaction milling a viable commercial technique for bulk carbide production.