Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for economically manufacturing high quality TiC powder, TiCN powder or ultrafine nanophase TiC+Ni (Co, Al) and TiCN+Ni (Co, Al) composite powders by means of metallothermic reduction. The method comprises the steps of preparing a starting solution of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) in a carbon chloride, feeding the starting solution into a closed container containing molten magnesium (Mg) under inert atmosphere, vacuum-separating unreacted liquid-phase Mg and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) remaining after reduction of magnesium from the closed container, and collecting a TiC compound from the closed container. TiC powder, TiCN powder or ultrafine nanophase TiC+Ni (Co, Al) and TiCN+Ni (Co, Al) composite powders having a particle size of a few tens nm can be manufactured in a simpler manner using economically advantageous starting materials such as titanium tetrachloride and carbon chlorides.

Abstract: A submicrometer transition metal carbonitride is produced having the formula:M.sub.a M'.sub.b M".sub.(1-a-b) (C.sub.1-x) N.sub.x).sub.zwherein M is Ti, Zr or Hf; M' is V, Nb or Ta; M" is Cr, Mo or W; a ranges from 0 to 1; b ranges from 0 to 1 with the proviso that (a +b) is less than or equal to 1; x ranges from about 0.02 to about 0.95 and z ranges from about 0.9 to about 2. The transition metal carbonitride is produced by mixing (a) a transition metal oxide source of a transition metal in the above formula and (b) a carbon source such as carbon black.

Abstract: Metal and/or metalloid nitride and/or carbide powders, e.g., amorphous or crystalline spherical particulates having a mean diameter greater than 0.2 .mu.m 90% of which being less than 0.4 .mu.m in size, well suited for the production of ceramic shaped articles exhibiting good thermomechanical properties and useful, for example, in the automotive and aeronautic fields, are prepared by flash pyrolyzing coarse drops of a precursor compound convertible into such nitride and/or carbide, at an elevated temperature and for such period of time as to convert the precursor compound into said amorphous or crystalline powder.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing titanium carbide, titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride. The process comprises placing particles of titanium, a titanium salt or titanium dioxide within a vessel and providing a carbon-containing atmosphere within the vessel. The vessel is heated to a pyrolysis temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the carbon to thereby coat the particles with a carbon coating. Thereafter, the carbon-coated particles are heated in an inert atmosphere to produce titanium carbide, or in a nitrogen atmosphere to produce titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride, with the heating being of a temperature and time sufficient to produce a substantially complete solid solution.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite ceramic powder is provided herein. A precursor product powder is first produced in a reactor from at least one carbide-forming reactant by heating the reactant(s) by means of combustion of a fuel, and the precursor product powder as collected from the reactor is heated in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere to produce a final product comprising a carbide compound as well as a nitride compound.

Abstract: Titanium carbonitride of a high purity and in a fine powder form can be produced by maintaining a mixture of titanium halide and carbon at a temperature of from 700.degree. C. to 1,800.degree. C. in the presence of a reducing substance, such as aluminum or an aluminum-titanium alloy, in a nitrogen-containing gaseous atmosphere.