SYNTHESIS OF VANADIUM CARBIDE POWDER VIA CALCIUM-THERMIC SELF-PROPAGATING HIGH-TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS

Transition metal carbides have a combination of refractory, high hardness, chemical inertia and electrical conductivity, which makes them indispensable materials for modern industry and high-tech technologies. Vanadium carbides occupy a special place among them, being a key component of wear-resistant coatings of cutting tools and alloying additives for high-strength steels. Despite the variety of synthesis methods, processes based on the reduction of oxides with active metals (Mg, Ca) remain the most promising for large-scale production. The use of metallothermy makes it possible to realize the reaction in gorenje mode, providing a significant reduction in energy consumption and synthesis time. The results of single-stage synthesis of vanadium carbide by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in the V₂O₅ ‒ C ‒Ca system are presented. Direct measurements of gorenje temperatures have been carried out, confirming the high exothermicity of the process. The effectiveness of acid purification of synthesis products is shown, which made it possible to isolate a single-phase vanadium carbide powder V₆C₅. Using the methods of X-ray phase analysis and ultrasonic laser diffraction, the phase composition and dispersion characteristics of the obtained powders were determined. A pattern has been revealed according to which the content of impurity oxygen correlates with an increase in the size of powder particles. The results obtained prove the possibility of forming a vanadium carbide phase in one stage, which opens up broad prospects for their use in functional materials and energy devices.

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