Titanium carbide (TiC) powders are successfully synthesized by carburization of titanium hydride (TiH2) powders. The TiH2 powders with size lower than 45 μm (-325 Mesh) are optimally produced by the hydrogenation process, and are mixed with graphite powder by ball milling. The mixtures are then heat-treated in an Ar atmosphere at 800-1200oC for carburization to occur. It has been experimentally and thermodynamically determined that the dehydrogenation, “TiH2 = Ti + H2”, and carburization, “Ti + C = TiC”, occur simultaneously over the reaction temperature range. The unreacted graphite content (free carbon) in each product is precisely measured by acid dissolution and by the filtering method, and it is possible to conclude that the maximal carbon stoichiometry of TiC0.94 is accomplished at 1200oC.

This paper deals with the fabrication of titanium carbide using fine titanium hydride. The ratio of and C (Activated carbon) was 1:1 (mol) and milled in a planetary ball mill at a ball-to-powder weight ratio of 20:1. Thereafter, TGA was performed at to observe change of weight with milling time. Titanium carbide was obtained by using tempering the milled powders at . The microstructures of titanium carbide as well as the change of the lattice parameters and particle size have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).