Development of carbothermy for the preparation of hepta chromium carbide

Chromium carbide (Cr7C3) is a versatile industrial material and is used as wear-resistant coating, as a catalyst a wear resistant ceramic material, an d also as an additive in welding electrode flux. Extensive studies have bee n carried out on the preparative route for the production of hepta chromium carbide (Cr7C3) and a process based on carbothermic reduction of Cr2O3 has been optimised. The process essentially involves thorough blending of the oxide and petroleum coke, compaction of the blend and heating soaking of th e compacts under dynamic vacuum to yield the carbide. Heating is done in th e temperature range of 1173-1473 K. The resulting product was analyzed for phase identification by XRD technique, for oxygen and carbon content by che mical analysis and for surface morphology by scanning electron microscope. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.