Synthesis and Spark Plasma Sintering of Nanosized Refractory Carbide/Nitride Powders

In the present study, seven refractory compounds - TiC, NbC, TaC, WC, Ti (C,N), (Ti,Nb)(C,N) and TiN - have been produced by plasma-chemical synthesis and carbothermal reduction process of a precursor prepared by sol-gel method. The phase composition, crystallite size, morphology and specific surface area of the synthesized powders are investigated by XRD, TEM, SEM and BET respectively. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) method (up to 1850 °C, heating rate of 100 °C/min and dwelling time of 5 min.) are used for investigation of compacting of these compounds. Characteristics of the obtained ceramic materials are provided.