Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline carbides By reaction milling

Nanocrystalline cementite, silicon carbide and titanium carbide powders were prepared from elemental constituent powder particles by reaction milling. A high energy dual drive planetary mill has been fabricated for the synthesis of carbides. The strong collision energy field of the dual drive planetary mill reduced the carbide formation time as compared to earlier reported studies. Forty hours is required to produce nanocrystalline cementite and silicon carbide powder. Whereas only 10 hours is required to produce titanium carbide powder, because self propagating reaction takes place between Ti and graphite during milling. The morphology of powders and evolution of different phases were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).