Method of forming metal carbides and metal carbide composites

摘要

The process of carburizing metals such as tungsten is greatly facilitated by forming a solution of a metal-containing compound such as ammonium paratungstate with an organic acid, and spray drying the composition to form precursor particles. The precursor particles are then calcined in an atmosphere which will cause partial carburization of the metal. Carburization is completed by heating this in a carburizing atmosphere. This is also useful for facilitating dissolution of certain metal compositions such as ammonium paratungstate, which is easily solubilized in water with the assistance of glycine. Preferably, the solution also incorporates a matrix metal composition such as a cobalt composition to form nanophase tungsten carbide particles in a cobalt matrix.