Characteristics of Temperature Field Distribution during Vacuum-Free Electric Arc Synthesis

We presented experimental studies on the synthesis of tungsten carbide powder by the vacuum-free electric arc method. The optimal parameters of plasma processing of the tungsten–carbon system were determined based on the results of temperature field distribution during vacuum-free electric arc synthesis. Temperature conditions are ensured in the reaction zone at certain parameters—the power supply current is 250–300 A, ensuring a temperature mode of 1700°C. The study of the mass balance showed that the greatest mass losses are observed with an increase in current to 300–350 A. X-ray phase analysis of the synthesized material revealed the predominance of the crystalline phase of tungsten carbide WC.