Abstract: A transition metal carbide (e.g., WC) is prepared by the following steps. A carbon-precursor mixture is formed by mixing a precursor comprised of (i) a transition metal oxide (e.g., WO.sub.x) and (ii) a material selected from the group consisting of: a transition metal (e.g., W); a transition metal carbide (e.g., WC) and a substoichiometric carbide (W.sub.2 C), in the presence of a source of carbon (e.g., carbon black) in an amount sufficient to form a reduced mixture comprised of the transition metal carbide and substoichiometric transition metal carbide, wherein the amount of the transition metal oxide and transition metal is essentially zero in said reduced mixture. The carbon-precursor mixture is heated in a reducing atmosphere (e.g., 5 percent hydrogen in argon) to a reducing temperature and for a time sufficient to produce the reduced mixture.

Abstract: In order to provide cemented carbide, provision is made about tungsten carbide powder which has a grain size not smaller than 1 .mu.m and which is mixed with carbon powder and chromium powder to form raw powder. The tungsten carbide powder is formed by fine primary crystal particles of tungsten carbide and satisfies an inequality given by:Y>0.61-0.33 log (X),where Y denotes a half-value width of (211) crystal planes in tungsten carbide (JCPDS-card 25-1047, d=0.9020) measured by a X-ray diffraction method and where X denotes a grain size measured by the FSSS method. There is also provided a method of producing the composite carbide powder having tungsten carbide powder as a main element, the method comprising the steps of preparing tungsten powder which has a mean grain size not smaller than 1 .mu.m, mixing the tungsten powder with carbon powder and chromium powder into a mixture, and processing the mixture in a predetermined atmosphere into fine primary crystal particles of tungsten carbide.

Abstract: Nanograined tungsten carbide particles are formed by a controlled, simultaneous reduction carburization reaction wherein the kinetics of the carburization and reduction reactions are controlled to permit simultaneous reduction and carburization. The kinetics are controlled by reacting a reduction carburization gas mixture, preferably hydrogen and carbon monoxide by slowly increasing the reaction temperature by controlling the rate of temperature increase. Preferably, the reaction temperature will be increased less than 25.degree. C. per minute, preferably about 1-2 degrees per minute, which prevents the formation of stable, undesirable species such as W.sub.2 C, which in turn interferes with the reaction efficiency.

Abstract: A new tungsten compound is formed by reacting ammonium metatungstate with guanidine carbonate. Such a compound can be converted to metallic tungsten, tungsten carbide or oxycarbide, and tungsten nitride or oxynitride. One can also make multiphase composite particles based on molybdenum, tungsten or their compounds (such as carbide or nitride), and at least one other metallic phase, such as cobalt, copper, nickel, iron or silver. The process involves first dispersing particles of a refractory metal or its compounds in a liquid medium, followed by inducing a chemical reaction in the liquid phase to generate a new solid phase which coats or mixes with the dispersed particles. The solid phase includes elements required in the final composite. After removing the liquid phase, the remaining solid is converted by hydrogen reduction into the final products.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a carbide from a moisture-containing organic substance allows for the recycling of the organic substance, which is conventionally thrown away waste. The method includes a dewatering process for removing water from the moisture containing material. A moisture adjustment process removes more water from a dewatered cake. A carbonization process continuously carbonizes the moisture adjusted material. During the moisture adjustment process, a carbide produced during the carbonization process is mixed in the dewatered cake to remove the moisture therefrom.

Abstract: A process for forming a salt, such as sodium tungstate, using a pyrometallurgical operation is provided. A slagging operation is performed in which a metal-containing material is melted in the presence of slag formers such as sodium metasilicate and silica. The metal predominantly reports to a denser metal-containing phase. The denser metal-containing phase may then be subjected to gas sparging with a carbon-containing gas in order to form metal carbide, preferably tungsten carbide.

Abstract: A low pressure combustion flame method for the production of nanophase powders, coatings and free-standing forms. The process involves controlled thermal decomposition of one or more metalorganic precursors in a flat-flame combustor unit in which both temperature distribution and gas phase residence time are uniform over the entire surface of the burner. It is this feature that makes the combustion flame reactor such a versatile tool for (1) high rate production of loosely agglomerated nanoparticle powders with controlled particle size and distribution, (2) uniform deposition of shape conformal nanophase coatings, and (3) net-shaped fabrication of nanocrystalline free-standing forms such as sheets, rings and drums. Applications for this new nanomaterials processing technology include electrical, thermal, optical, display, magnetic, catalytic, tribological and structural materials.

Abstract: In order to eliminate the oxygen sensitivity of chromium carbide and vanadium carbide particles, vanadium carbide and chromium carbide particles are formed by carburizing a precursor compound at a elevated reaction temperature of about 950.degree. C. Initially, the precursor compound is heated in an inert nitrogen-containing gas to the reaction temperature. Once the reaction temperature is achieved, hydrogen and a carbon-containing gas such as methane or ethylene are used to conduct the carbonization. After the carbonization has been completed, the carbonizing gas is then replaced with an inert nitrogen-containing gas and the product allowed to cool down. The carbonization cycle is adjusted so that the oxygen level is kept to less than 0.35%, while the nitrogen level is kept at about 2%. Powders produced from this process show minimal or no oxygen pickup when exposed to ambient air.

Abstract: The present in a process for the conversion of iron-containing material into iron carbide. The process includes a first step in which the iron-containing material is contacted with a reducing gas that contains no more than a small amount of reactive carbon to produce metallic iron and a second step in which the metallic iron is contacted with a reducing and carburizing gas to produce iron carbide.The reducing and carburizing gas includes reactive carbon, hydrogen, and methane. The iron carbide product is of high purity.

Abstract: A continuous process that produces nanoscale powders from different types of precursor material by evaporating the material and quenching the vaporized phase in a converging-diverging expansion nozzle. The precursor material suspended in a carrier gas is continuously vaporized in a thermal reaction chamber under conditions that favor nucleation of the resulting vapor. Immediately after the initial nucleation stages, the vapor stream is rapidly and uniformly quenched at rates of at least 1,000 K/sec, preferably above 1,000,000 K/sec, to block the continued growth of the nucleated particles and produce a nanosize powder suspension of narrow particle-size distribution. The nanopowder is then harvested by filtration from the quenched vapor stream and the carrier medium is purified, compressed and recycled for mixing with new precursor material in the feed stream.

Abstract: Abrasive grain with significantly improved toughness is obtained by pressureless sintering of .alpha.-silicon carbide powder with oxidic sinter additives, especially aluminum oxide/yttrium oxide, which is also suitable for those applications where an ordinary silicon carbide abrasive grain is too brittle.

Abstract: A transition metal carbide-Group VIII metal powder comprising discrete particles of a transition metal carbide and Group VIII metal wherein: substantially all of the particles have a size of at most 0.4 micrometer; the transition metal carbide is selected from carbides of the group consisting of tungsten, titanium, tantalum, molybdenum, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, chromium, mixtures and solid solutions thereof; and the Group VIII metal is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, mixtures and solid solutions thereof. Said powders are produced by heating an admixture comprising a finishing source of carbon (e.g., acetylene black), a source of a group VIII metal (e.g., Co.sub.3 O.sub.

Abstract: Silicon carbide fibers having a high mechanical strength at a high temperature, an excellent heat resistance and a uniform structure are produced by activating carbon fibers which have been produced by heat-treating organic carbon fibers such as cellulose, polyacrylonitrile or petroleum pitch, polyimide or phenol resin fibers in an oxidative gas atmosphere and carbonizing the heat-treating organic fibers in an inert gas, with an activating gas, for example, water vapor, to convert them to the activated porous carbon fibers having a specific surface area of 100 to 3,000 m.sup.2 /g, a length of 5 mm or more and a thickness of 5 to 100 .mu.m; reacting the activated porous carbon fibers with a silicon monoxide gas at a temperature of 800.degree. C. to 2,000.degree. C. under a reduced pressure of 10.sup.2 Pa or less to convert them to silicon carbide fibers having a length of 5 mm or more, without generating whiskers; and optionally the resultant silicon carbide fibers are heat-treated at a temperature of 800.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for forming metal or non-metal carbide fiber from the corresponding metal or non-metal containing material such as a silicon sol or mixtures thereof and silicon, silicon carbide or silicon oxide, or mixtures of silicon carbide and silicon or silicon oxide.

Abstract: Tungsten carbide and/or tungsten can be recycled by oxidizing the tungsten composition at a temperature greater than 700.degree. C. to form a water insoluble tungsten trioxide. This is then reduced to form tungsten dioxide. The tungsten dioxide is subjected to a low temperature oxidation which forms monoclinic tungsten trioxide. The monoclinic tungsten trioxide is then dissolved in ammonia to form ammonium tungstate. If present, the binder metal such as cobalt is converted into the soluble ammine complex. This can be spray dried and carburized to form tungsten carbide. If the form composition includes cobalt or other binder metal, the ratio of cobalt to tungsten can be adjusted by adding cobalt salts or ammonium metatungstate to the aqueous solution prior to spray drying to form a precursor composition. This is uniquely suitable for forming a cobalt tungsten carbide composition.

Abstract: A process for forming a supported metal carbide catalyst, for example, a Group VIB transition metal carbide, such as tungsten carbide, which process comprises the calcination of a carbon support that has been impregnated with a metal carbide precursor comprising a water soluble salt of: (1) a cation comprising nitrogen-hydrogen bonded moieties, such as a guanidine cation; and (2) an anion, such as a tungstate anion, comprising metal-oxygen bonded moieties, so that upon calcination the product formed is the metal carbide and the by-products comprise ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of making metallic carbide powders includes heating a non-static solid reactant mixture of a metal oxide and a source of carbon to a first elevated temperature which is sufficient to cause at least partial carburization of the mixture. The heating is performed in a non-reducing atmosphere having a total pressure of at least one atmosphere for a sufficient time to form a partially-carburized mixture. The source of carbon is employed at a level which is less than the stoichiometric amount needed to produce the metallic carbide. The method may further include admixing a sufficient level of a source of carbon to the partially-carburized mixture to form an adjusted mixture having a total carbon content of the stoichiometric amount needed to make the metallic carbide and carburizing the adjusted mixture in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a second elevated temperature which is sufficient to cause the adjusted mixture to form the metallic carbide having a particle size of less than 0.

Abstract: A method of making a compound selected from metal and silicon carbides and nitrides includes the steps of providing a solution of a coal-derived material in a solvent, the coal-derived material having a composition, free of solvent, of 70 to 91 percent by mass of carbon, 2 to 6 percent by mass of hydrogen and 3 to 20 percent by mass of oxygen, and a source of an oxide of silicon or the metal, causing the coal-derived material in solution and the source of the oxide to interact, removing the solvent to form a precursor and heat treating the precursor to produce the compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of finely divided metal and/or ceramic powders by reacting appropriate metal compounds and appropriate reagents in the gas phase (CVR) chemical vapor reaction, wherein the metal compound(s) and the further reagents are brought to reaction in the gaseous state in a reactor and are subsequently homogeneously condensed directly out of the gas phase, with exclusion of any wall reaction, and are subsequently separated from the reaction medium.

Abstract: Metallo-carbohedrene compositions, their method of manufacture and use are described. The metal component of the compositions is selected from the group of transition elements and preferably is titanium, zirconium, or vanadium. The compositions of the invention are molecular clusters in the ratio 8:12, metal to carbon respectively. A preferred embodiment is Ti.sub.8 C.sub.12 which has a cage-like structure (suggested 12 pentagonal rings and each of the rings is formed by two titanium and three carbon atoms) where each titanium is bound to three carbons. The compositions of this invention represent a new class of stable molecules (metallo-carbohedrenes) having a variety of applications and are particularly useful as electronic materials and catalysts.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches a method for obtaining porous solids of refractory carbide with a large specific surface area. An exclusively organic, polymeric and/or copolymerizable compound, for example a resin, which can be coked and to provide a solid carbon skeleton, is mixed with a powder of metal, or metalloid, or a compound thereof which can be reduced by carbon. The mixture is shaped, the organic compound is cross-linked or hardened, and the compound is heat treated from 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. to coke it, then heat treated to carburize it.

Abstract: Transition metal carbides, having high surface areas and catalytic activity for use in pollution control, isomerization and hydrodesulfurization procedures, can be formed by the calcination of a mixture of an acyclic compound containing carbon-nitrogen-hydrogen bonding and a metal salt. The acyclic compound is preferably a compound of guanidine or a derivative thereof such as a deammoniated derivative of guanidine. The metal salt is preferably a metal halide such as a metal chloride.

Abstract: A process for forming a metal carbide catalyst, for example, a Group VIB transition metal carbide, such as tungsten carbide, which may be on a support, which process comprises the calcination of a precursor comprising a water soluble salt of: (1) a cation comprising nitrogen-hydrogen bonded moieties, such as a guanidine cation; and (2) an anion, such as a tungstate anion, comprising metal-oxygen bonded moieties, so that upon calcination the product formed is the metal carbide and the by-products comprise ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for the production of a metal carbide having a BET specific surface area of 10 to 200 m.sup.2 /g, in which a reaction mixture including carbon having a specific surface area of at least 200 m.sup.2 /g and a compound of the metal to be reacted with the carbon which is volatile at 900.degree. C. to 1400.degree. C. is introduced into a reactor, the reactor is scavenged by a flow of inert gas and the reaction mixture is heated under the flow of inert gas at 900.degree. to 1400.degree. C. for a time sufficient to volatilize the metal, reduce the volatilized metal compound to the metal with and carburize the metal by reaction with carbon, forming the metal carbide. The metal carbide formed is cooled under the flow of inert gas.

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 for making submicrometer metallic carbides and submicrometer solid solution metallic carbides from sources of at least one metallic oxide and carbon involves the rapid heating of a reactive particulate mixture of at least one metallic oxide and carbon in order to achieve a resulting particulate size of less than 1 micrometer. Submicrometer sized metallic carbides and solid solution metallic carbides have found great use in commercial ceramic applications. It has been found that the smaller sized particles produce a product having superior toughness and hardness. In addition, the submicrometer sized solid solution metallic carbide resulting from this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Carbothermally reduce a metal oxide to its corresponding metal nitride or metal carbide powder in a vertical gravity flow reactor by adding precursor pellets containing the metal oxide, a thermally decomposed binder material and carbon or a source of carbon directly to a heated reaction zone within the reactor. The pellets form a pellet bed, the top of which must be maintained within the heated reaction zone. The binder material is a blend of wheat and corn starches, optionally in conjunction with another binder such as melamine. The binder material thermally decomposes to a carbonaceous residue which functions both as an additional source of carbon and as a binder for the precursor pellets. The reactor may be modified by adding an internal vent line to remove volatile materials from the heated reaction zone before they have an opportunity to condense on internal reactor surfaces.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of composite powders with ultrafine microstructures. The process involves three coordinated steps:1) preparation and mixing of an appropriate starting solution;2) spray drying to form a chemically homogeneous precursor powder; and3) fluid bed thermochemical conversion of the precursor into the desired nanophase composite powder.Both spray drying and fluid bed conversion are scaleable technologies, and together provide the means for producing bulk quantities of nanophase composite powders at low manufacturing cost. Processing parameters are controlled to ensure maintenance of chemical and microstructural uniformity at the nanoscale (less than 0.1 micron) level.Spray conversion processing is a versatile technology, which can be applied to a variety of metal--metal (e.g. W--Cu), ceramic-metal (e.g. WC--Co), and ceramic--ceramic (e.g. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2) nanophase composite powders ceramic-metal (e.g. WC--Co), and ceramic--ceramic (e.g. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a product comprising a carbide compound, such as for example silicon carbide. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone in a direction generally toward the reaction zone, and is accordingly combusted in the combustion zone. At least one reactant (i.e. silane) is injected at the boundary between the zones into the reactor chamber in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber so as to react to form raw product comprising the carbide compound.

Abstract: A process for the production of high purity, high surface area, submicron size transition metal carbides and borides which comprises mixing transition metal oxide with carbon in an amount sufficient to form the corresponding carbide or boride, heating the reactants at a temperature of higher than 1000.degree. C. under a small pressure of non-reacting gas and then holding the temperature whilst applying simultaneously subatmospheric pressure and agitation until the reaction is complete.

Abstract: A method of producing heavy metal carbides of high specific surface area characterized in that a compound in the gazeous state of said heavy metal is caused to react with reactive carbon having a specific surface area at least equal to 200 m.sup.2. g.sup.-1 at a temperature comprised between 900.degree. and 1400.degree. C., and thus obtained carbides.

Abstract: A powdered admixture of a boron, carbon, nitrogen or silicon derivative of a first metal is combined with a source of a second metal and, optionally, a source of a third metal or an iron-group metal, subjected to densification conditions (heat and pressure), partially reacted and converted to a hard, wear resistant material. The wear resistant material contains an amount of the first metal derivative as well as a material of varying stoichiometry which is the partial reaction product of components of the powdered admixture. The material may also contain residual, unreacted portions of components other than the first metal derivative. Articles formed from this material can be useful as, for example, nozzles in abrasive or nonabrasive waterjet cutting machines and various parts of wire drawing apparatus.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for preparing rare earth containing hard alloy, comprising preparing metal carbide powder containing rare earth metals or cobalt powder containing rare earth metals by using wet coprecipitating method; according to the composition of alloy, at least one kind of the metal carbide powder containing rare earth metal and cobalt powder containing rare metals being mixed homogeneously with other raw materials, shaping and finally sintering under high temperature. The process of the invention is simple technologically. The properties of the products produced by the process of the invention are good, stable and repeatable.

Abstract: Carbides of Group VIB metals, such as tungsten and molybdenum, can be formed by the pyrolysis of a salicylate of such metal. The salicylate can be formed by reaction of a Group VIB metal halide with salicylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing a metallic carbide coating on a substrate. The invention involves providing an enclosed chamber with sources of carbon in the form of a blank and an ingot of a metal material taken from the group including titanium, boron and silicon. Electron beam guns are employed to heat the carbon source causing a carbon vapor flow within the vessel. In accordance with this invention, the metal ingot is subjected to two distinct heating steps. A first heating step preferably using an electron beam gun, melts the ingot and the molten material flows onto a refractory surface where it is subjected to a second heating step, preferably also using an electron beam gun. The plural heating approach of this invention has been found to produce significant increases in metal vaporization rate, thus permitting a higher rate of formation of metallic carbide to be provided on the substrate.

Abstract: A new carbothermic reaction process is described for the thermochemical processing of nanophase WC-Co powders. The process permits shorter reaction times, reduced temperatures, and finer microstructures compared to conventional processing methods.The process builds on our experience with spray conversion processing but involves 1) chemical vapor infiltration reaction of the carbon infiltrant using a carbon source gas at a carbon activity greater than or equal to 1.0 with the particle substrate to form WC-CO; and 2) removal of any excess (unreacted) carbon by controlled gasification using a gas with carbon activity less than 1.0. A feature of the carbothermic reaction process is its adaptability to conventional WC-Co processing technology, as well as to spray conversion processing technology.The resulting power particles consist of a network of fine grains, (less than 100 nm) of WC and Co with interconnected fine porosity.

Abstract: A powdered admixture of a boron, carbon, nitrogen or silicon derivative of a first metal is combined with a source of a second metal and, optionally, a source of a third metal or an iron-group metal, subjected to densification conditions (heat and pressure), partially reacted and converted to a hard, wear resistant material. The wear resistant material contains an amount of the first metal derivative as well as a material of varying stoichiometry which is the partial reaction product of components of the powdered admixture. The material may also contain residual, unreacted portions of components other than the first metal derivative. Articles formed from this material can be useful as, for example, nozzles in abrasive or nonabrasive waterjet cutting machines and various parts of wire drawing apparatus.

Abstract: A powdered admixture of a boron, carbon, nitrogen or silicon derivative of a first metal is combined with a source of a second metal and, optionally, a source of a third metal or an iron-group metal, subjected to densification conditions (heat and pressure), partially reacted and converted to a hard, wear resistant material. The wear resistant material contains an amount of the first metal derivative as well as a material of varying stoichiometry which is the partial reaction product of components of the powdered admixture The material may also contain residual, unreacted portions of components other than the first metal derivative. Articles formed from this material can be useful as, for example, nozzles in abrasive or nonabrasive waterjet cutting machines and various parts of wire drawing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a product comprising a carbide compound, such as for example silicon carbide. A reactor is provided which has a chamber defined therein which is divided into a combustion zone and a reaction zone. A combustible mixture is injected into the combustion zone in a direction generally toward the reaction zone, and is accordingly combusted in the combustion zone. At least one reactant (i.e. silane) is injected at the boundary between the zones into the reactor chamber in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber so as to react to form raw product containing the carbide compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytic system and to a method of producing such a system.The catalytic system consists of a support on which the catalytically active product is deposited. The support has mechanical or physical properties which are of interest in terms of the required working conditions, but a poor specific surface area. The catalytically active product, a metallic carbide, is obtained by coating the support in a suspension of a reducible compound of the metal in a solution of an organic compound, carbonizing this compound, reducing the metallic compound and carburizing the metal. The carbide thus obtained has a high specific surface area.Preferably, the support consists of silicon carbide produced by carbonizing a paste containing silicon, carbon and an organic resin.The invention is applicable to any form of catalyst but in particular to the monolithic catalysts intended for treating exhaust gases.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing TiC composite materials containing a fine dispersion of TiC crystals in a metallic matrix. The matrix may contain one or more of metals selected from A1, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni and Ti. The process comprises rapid heating of a mixture of titanium alloys with carbon, preferably by arc melting or thermal spraying. This rapid heating step is also effective when the starting materials contain titanium, other metals and carbon.

Abstract: A process for preparing metal oxides from ferrometal and nickel metal alloys is disclosed comprising first providing a ferrometal or nickel metal alloy containing an oxide forming metal, hydriding the alloy to an effective temperature and pressure with hydrogen containing gas, subdividing then carbiding the hydrided product at a temperature above about 500.degree. C. to form carbides, then employing an aqueous acid leach to dissolve the iron or nickel carbide and separating the acid soluble from the acid insoluble carbides. The acid insoluble carbides are reacted with oxygen at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to form the metal oxides of said carbides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of silicon ceramic whiskers and silicon ceramic powder from silicon fluoride and ammonia or a hydrocarbon, at an elevated temperature. According to the invention, the hydrocarbon or ammonia (4) is decomposed separately at a high temperature into reactive carbon or nitrogen and hydrogen, whereafter the carbon or nitrogen radical thus obtained is further in a gas phase contacted with reactive silicon formed therein from silicon difluoride, in order to deposit finely-divided silicon nitride or silicon carbide out from the gas phase.

Abstract: Metal carbides can be formed by the pyrolysis of a composition comprising metal and carboxylic acid residues bonded therein, the composition being substantially free of extraneous carbon and also having metal moieties that are not in the substituent position. Dicarboxylic acids, for example, can be reacted with either metal alkoxides or metal halides to form an oligomer or polymer which can be calcined to the metal carbide. Alternatively, a metal alkoxide can be reacted with a monocarboxylic acid to form a metal alkoxide carboxylate which can be heated to the metal carbide. Finally, a metal carboxylate can be heated to form the desired metal carbide.

Abstract: A silicon carbide-reinforced light alloy composite material comprises a matrix of a light weight alloy and a reinforcing material consisting of at least one of a silicon carbide whisker and a silicon carbide grain. In the composite material, the content of SiO.sub.2 contained in the reinforcing material, is set in the range of 0.05 to 5.0% by weight.

Abstract: A process for production of high surface area, sub-micron size, monotungsten carbide and mixtures of monotungsten carbide-titanium carbide by reacting a mixture of tungsten oxide (or APT), titanium oxide and carbon powders in a mixing reactor. When the temperature in the reactor reaches reaction temperature a vacuum is applied. The charge is kept under a high vacuum until the reaction is complete, and is agitated to enhance the release of carbon monoxide. The products typically contain in excess of 99% carbides, have a surface area greater than 4.2 m.sup.2 /g for mixture at monotungsten carbide and titanium carbide, and an average particle size between 0.2 and 0.5 microns.

Abstract: A method of producing small diameter titanium carbide whiskers is disclosed. The method comprises supplying a source of materials comprised of titanium halide, hydrocarbon gas and nickel and reacting this material in the presence of a source of carbon monoxide to produce small diameter titanium carbide whiskers.

Abstract: A low temperature process is described for forming a coating or powder comprising one or more metals or metal compounds by first reacting one or more metal reactants with a halide-containing reactant to form one or more reactive intermediates capable of reacting, disproportionating, or decomposing to form a coating or powder comprising the one or more metal reactants. When one or more metal compounds are formed, either as powders or as coatings, a third reactant may be injected into a second reaction zone in the reactor to contact the one or more reactive intermediates formed in the first reaction zone to thereby form one or more metal compounds such as metal nitrides, carbides, oxides, borides, or mixtures of same.

Abstract: A method of heating reactant materials in a plasma chamber to achieve a reaction temperature by enveloping the materials in a microwave induced electric plasma. The plasma chamber positioned in the microwave waveguide is filled with a gas and predetermined quantities of the reactant materials are placed in the chamber or reactor. A microwave produced electric field is passed through the gas to ionize it and produce an electric plasma that envelopes the reactant materials. The process may be used in a variety of high temperature chemical processes such as the production of tungsten carbide.

Abstract: The invention encompasses unsintered and sintered compositions comprising boride and alumina. A sintered material containing boride and alumina may be produced by a method comprising:a) combining sources of borate glass frit and aluminum to form a mixture;b) compacting the mixture to form a shape;c) heating the shape, whereby the sources react to form boride and alumina; andd) densifying the reacted shape.Specific embodiments of the invention include the use of rare earth borate glasses such as La.sub.2 O.sub.3. 6 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 glass to form compositions containing rare earth boride.