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Title: Combustion synthesis of transition-metal nitrides

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6452437

A new process, using sodium azide (NaN/sub 3/) as a solid source of nitrogen, for the production of transition-metal nitride materials is presented. For example, a -325 mesh Ti powder with average particle size of 22..mu.. was mixed with NaN/sub 3/ powder in a glass jar on a vibratory mill for 5 minutes. The powder was cold-pressed into cylinders or poured into quartz crucibles. The quartz crucible containing the powder was placed in a glove box which was pumped down to approx. 200 ..mu... After back-filling with nitrogen to one atmosphere the powder was ignited by a tungsten coil which was in contact with the surface of the powder. The combustion temperature was estimated to be at least 2200/sup 0/C at the maximum point. A thick cloud of smoke, consisting of Na vapor and other volatile gases from the initial powders, evolved during reaction. The reaction product is a loose, friable powder that is easily removed from the quartz crucible. The average grain size of the TiN powder is 10..mu.. as shown in a SEM micrograph. X-ray-diffraction analysis verified the powder to be TiN with no trace of Ti metal. The advantages of this process are high-purity products, high rates of synthesis, and energy efficient since no furnaces are required.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6452437
Report Number(s):
UCRL-87794; CONF-821133-4; ON: DE83009120
Resource Relation:
Conference: Conference on ceramic science - emergent process methods for high technology ceramics, Raleigh, NC, USA, 8 Nov 1982
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English