Physicochemical Transformations During Low-Temperature Synthesis of Zirconium Carbide

Abstract

Joint reduction of zirconium dioxide and sodium carbonate to form zirconium carbide was studied. Magnesiothermic reduction of ZrO₂ was shown to occur at 600 – 620°C; Na₂CO₃, 590 – 610°C. Thermodynamic calculations and x-ray phase analyses indicated the transformations occurring during the synthesis and the resulting reaction products. Use of graphite as the carbon source did not lead to ZrC formation at 700 – 900°C, in contrast with Na₂CO₃.