LOW-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC ARC METHOD FOR PRODUCING NANO-SIZED TRANSITION METAL CARBIDE POWDER Russian patent published in 2024 - IPC C01B32/914 B82Y40/00 B23H1/08 B23H7/18 

FIELD: alloys.

SUBSTANCE: invention can be used in the production of sintered hard alloys intended for the manufacture of cutting and mining tools, as well as wear-resistant parts. Transition metal carbide nanopowder, for example, tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, is produced by a low-voltage electric arc method, which includes evaporation of electrodes by an electric arc created between them in an open vessel with a hydrocarbon liquid, which is kerosene, butane, ethyl or methyl alcohol. One working electrode is mounted on an ultrasonic vibrator, providing a vibration frequency of 15,000-40,000 Hz. The other electrode is flat and is placed on the bottom of the vessel. The working electrode is lowered until the electrical circuit is closed and a pulsed electric arc appears, applying pulses with a frequency of 2000-60000 Hz from a low voltage generator of 3-15 V to the electrodes. The electrical circuit is constantly closed and opened. When opened, a microarc is obtained from atoms and ions of metal and carbon with a current density of up to 10⁸ A/m², the maximum length of which is 1 mcm, and the burning time is no more than 10^-4 s. Thus, the temperature in the centre of the arc is ensured up to 8000°C and the ignition of the liquid due to the lack of oxygen inside it is prevented.

EFFECT: method is simple and allows you to obtain the specified nanopowders in laboratory, home or artisanal conditions, and also apply them in the form of a coating on various metal surfaces, providing a strong and tear-resistant layer.

1 cl, 1 ex