Simultaneous Synthesis and Densification of Titanium Oxycarbide, Ti(C,O), through Gas–Solid Combustion

The synthesis of titanium oxycarbide through a solid–gas combustion was investigated. Titanium powders containing TiC additive at levels ranging from 0 to 50 wt% were combusted in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide gas, at pressures ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 MPa. The characteristics of the synthesis process and the properties of the resulting product were found to depend on the level of the TiC additive and on the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. Dense oxycarbides (∼96% relative density) with Vickers microhardness of ∼18 GPa were synthesized. In addition, the process presents a possible method for the fixation of carbon dioxide gas for the synthesis of useful materials.