Carbides of transition metals: Properties, application and production. Review. Part 1. Titanium and vanadium carbides

The properties, application, and methods for producing titanium and vanadium carbides are considered. These carbides are oxygen-free refractory metal-like compounds. As a result, they are characterized by high values of thermal and electrical conductivity. Their hardness is relatively high. Titanium and vanadium carbides exhibit significant chemical resistance in aggressive environments. For these reasons, they have found application in modern technology. These carbides are used as surfacing materials for the application of wear-resistant coatings to steel products. It is possible to use them as catalysts in organic synthesis. Titanium carbide is used in tungsten-free hard alloys, carbide steels. Due to its high hardness, it is used as an abrasive and as a component of ceramic cutting tools. Vanadium carbide serves as an inhibitor of the growth of tungsten carbide grains in hard alloys. The properties of refractory compounds depend on the content of impurities and dispersion (particle size). To solve a specific problem associated with the use of refractory compounds, it is important to choose the right method for their preparation and to determine the permissible content of impurities in the initial components. This leads to existence of different methods for the synthesis of carbides. The main methods for their preparation are: synthesis from simple substances (metals and carbon), metallothermal and carbothermal reduction. Plasma-chemical synthesis (vapor-gas phase deposition) is also used to obtain carbide nanopowders. A characteristic is given to each of these methods. Information on the possible mechanism of the processes of carbothermal synthesis is presented.