A METHOD OF NITRIDING REFRACTORY METAL ARTICLES

摘要

A method of nitriding an article of refractory-nitride-forming metal or metalloids is described. A consolidated metal or metalloid article is placed inside a microwave oven and nitrogen containing gas is introduced into the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article is heated to a temperature sufficient to react the metal or metalloid with the nitrogen by applying a microwave energy within the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article is maintained at that temperature for a period of time sufficient to convert the article of metall or metalloid to an article of refractory nitride. In addition, a method of applying a coating, such as coating of an oxide, a carbide, or a carbo-nitride, to an article of metal or metalloid by microwave heating is described.