Characterization of Titanium Carbide Prepared from Titanium-Containing Concentrate in a Microwave-Assisted Combined Plasma System

In this paper, we report the preparation of titanium carbide from mineral concentrate by plasma synthesis, without chemical isolation of TiO2, a major oxide component. Chemical and phase analysis data for synthesis products are used to discuss chemical reactions occurring during plasma treatment of a starting mixture of the concentrate and a carburizer. We describe a model for the destructuring of mixed compounds in the mineral concentrate and synthesis of titanium carbide. As a local power source, we use an experimental setup comprising an indirect electric arc plasma source and microwave generator. The specific enthalpy of the plasma jet reaches ~3 kJ/g at a weight-average velocity of up to 10 m/s, and additional exposure to a microwave field makes it possible to raise the plasma energy and process temperature. In this manner, high-purity stoichiometric titanium carbide has been prepared. Plasma processing has been demonstrated to be a promising approach for the preparation of titanium carbide nanoparticles from titanium-containing mineral concentrates.