Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of nano-sized titanium carbide powder

The combustion process of a titanium–carbon system with sodium chloride as an inert diluent was investigated. The combustion laws and microstructure of final products according to diluent content were obtained. It was shown that sodium chloride not only decreases combustion temperature but also makes effective protective shells around primary carbide crystals and keeps this ultrafine structure up to the end of combustion. As a result, nano-sized titanium carbide powders were successfully obtained.