Novel Process for Synthesizing Nano-Ceramics Powder: Mechanical & Thermal Activation Processing

Abstract

A novel process for synthesizing nano-ceramics powders, named Mechanical & Thermal Activation Processing, is discussed in the present paper. Dissimilar with the tradition processing of mechanical activation or mechanochemistry, the processing is based on thermal activation in liquid phase (molten salt) after mechanical activation. The synthesizing of nanometer sized TiC particles by the method was investigated. The end product has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD),transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion X-ray (EDX). The results show that nano-meter sized particles were formed, and the lattice parameter of TiC is close to the value of non-oxygen TiC. Compared with usually methods, the whole processing time needed is shortened; moreover, the synthesis temperature could be reduced 500°C. The mechanism for mechanical & yhermal activation is discussed.