METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF METAL CARBIDES Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: mixture containing solid carbon reducing agent and metal oxides is melted in electrothermic furnace in two stages. In so doing, pelletized mixture in first and second stages is charged into furnace at ratio of 1:(1.5-4), respectively, and temperature is maintained at 400-500 C in mixture layer at furnace top. Mixture contains reducing agent in the amount larger than stoichiometric amount by 3.0-10.0%. Electric conditions (current intensity and voltage) are regulated. When temperature at furnace top is increased by more than 150 C, the second stage of process begins, and charged in furnace is mixture containing reducing agent in the amount exceeding the stoichiometric amount by 0.1-2.5%. Synthesis of crystal sinter of metal carbides is carried out by rotating furnace bath round its vertical axis at speed of 0.5-4 revolutions per day. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 5 tbl