Development of an Alternate Route Based on Mechanochemistry towards the Synthesis of Nanostructured TiC

Industrial grade ferrotitanium (Fe–Ti) was used for the first time as the raw material to synthesize TiC. Mixtures of Fe–Ti and graphite were milled in a planetary ball mill for varying durations between 10 h and 40 h. The milled mixtures were subsequently heat treated at 1000°C for 15 min. The powder mixtures were characterized by using XRD and SEM-EDAX. In an attempt to purify the TiC, the milled and heat treated powder products were leached with dilute HCl. The XRD patterns of as milled heat treated pow-ders indicated formation of crystalline TiC. SEM images also indicated grain refinement even though agglomeration to some extent was noticed. The mechanochemical route coupled with leaching thus offers a successful way to synthesize TiC from a cheap source that has not been attempted before. KEY WORDS: ball milling; Fe–Ti; nanostructured material; TiC; synthesis. 1