Synthesis of WC powder through microwave heating of WO₃–C mixture

Abstract

A simple, easy, and low-cost process for the fabrication of tungsten carbide (WC) powder through microwave heating of WO₃–C mixtures was developed. Thermodynamic calculations and experimental investigations were carried out for WO₃–C and W–C systems, and a formation mechanism was proposed. In the results, for the synthesis of WC, the use of over stoichiometric amount of C together with a specially assembled experimental setup (which effectively retains heat in the system) is necessary. The WC powder is successfully obtained by heating WO₃:5C mixture for 900 s in a domestic microwave oven.

Keywords

tungsten carbide / microwave heating / carbothermic reduction / thermodynamic analysis

References

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