Effect of Temperature and Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Oxidation of Titanium Carbide

The oxidation of powdered titanium carbide was followed by weight gain measurement, using a thermogravimetric apparatus, between 600° and 850°C. The oxygen partial pressure effect was investigated between 6.5 and 645 mm Hg. The oxidation was parabolic with an activation energy of 46 ± 2 kcal/mole which was essentially independent of the overpressure. The rate of oxidation was dependent on p o 2 ¼ below approximately 800°C. Above this temperature the rate was proportional to p o 2 ¼. The oxidation of single‐crystal TiC above 850° C produced porous rutile films. The rates of oxidation were between linear and parabolic time dependence.