TiC-Fe Powders by Coupled SHS Reactions: An Overview

The application of the SHS reactions yielding TiC coupled with the reduction of Fe from iron oxide to preparation of TiC-Fe powders from plain and granulated green mixtures was overviewed with special emphasis on (Fe2O3 + 2Al)-(Ti + C) (I) and (Fe2O3 + 3C)-(Ti + C) (II) compound mixtures. In case I of aluminothermic reduction, green (Ti + C) + x(Fe2O3 + 2Al) charges were prepared as a mixture of granules prepared separately from thermite (Fe2O3 + 2Al) and carbide (Ti + C) blends. In case II of carbothermic reduction, green (Ti + C) + x(Fe2O3 + 3C) mixtures were used without preliminary granulation. In both cases, combustion in an open reactor proceeded steadily without material splashing and yielded highly porous Fe(Al)-Fe3Al-Al2O3-TiC or TiC-Fe cermets that can be easily grinded to get abrasive powders. The above reactions are energy saving, technically simple, cost effective, and rather promising for R & D of industrial-scale processes to fabricate powdered TiC-Fe cermets to be used as abrasive materials, wear-resistant coatings, and catalysts.