Synthesis and characterization of tungsten carbide fine powders

Abstract

Fine tungsten carbide (WC) powder was prepared by solid state reaction between tungsten powder (W) and activated carbon cloth as a new carbon (C) source. The effect of temperature and time of heat treatment as well as the effect of C/W ratio on WC phase formation was studied. The results obtained by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) show that obtained powder is single WC. Microstructure and morphology was determinate by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method was used for examining specific surface area and texture of obtained powders. It was found that WC powder was successfully synthesized in excess carbon after eight-hour heat treatment at relatively low temperature (1000 degrees C).