CARBIDE SYNTHESIS BY METAL EXPLOSIONS IN ACETYLENE
Abstract
Thermally stable metal carbides can be synthesized readily by electrical explosion of metals into acetylene. Reasonably high degrees of purity can be obtained under appropriate reaction conditions. An important factor governing the purity of the carbide product is the necessity for dilution of the acetylene reactant with an inert gas; this minimizes the rate of self-pyrolysis of acetylene to graphite and hydrogen. It was shown that explosive vaporization of the metal is not necessary for carbide formation since liquid droplets of the metal react readily with gaseous species derived from acetylene; thus explosive melting suffices. Using this technique, LaC2, TiC, ZrC, NbC, Nb2C, Ta2C, MoC, Mo2C, and W2C were prepared from the respective metals. Of the metals studied, only cobalt failed to form a carbide. Factors involved in the synthesis of specific carbides when the metal forms more than one stable carbide are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0662580
Entities
People
- Bernard Siegel
- Eileen Cook
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation