The Tomsk University of Technology in Russia has developed a unique method of producing tungsten carbide and other superhard materials. This method is simpler, more economical and reliable than similar technologies. At the same time, it can also use waste containing similar materials as raw materials for production. Relevant research results were recently published in the journal "International Refractory Metals and Hard Materials".
Tungsten carbide is a super-hard material that is widely used in the production of drill bits, knives and other wear-resistant parts. In recent years, researchers have begun to actively study the possibility of using tungsten carbide as a catalyst to produce hydrogen from water. Although platinum and many other expensive metals are still considered the best catalysts, studies have found that relatively cheap tungsten carbide nanopowders can be used as catalysts instead.
Researchers at Tomsk University of Technology have successfully developed an electric arc method for synthesizing tungsten carbide nanopowders. This method can significantly improve the production technology, making the production system not only simpler and more compact, but also more economical and reliable.
Alexander Parker, a researcher at the University’s "Ecological Energy 4.0" Research Center, explained: "Due to the use of specially shaped graphite electrodes in the generation of arc plasma, we can generate spontaneously insulating gaseous media without a vacuum chamber. This It greatly simplifies the process and reduces energy consumption many times."
Alexander Parker said that another advantage of this technology is that worn drill bits, used tool parts and other waste materials containing tungsten carbide can be used as synthetic raw materials. At present, there is no similar production technology in terms of production efficiency and economy. He said that this new method is also suitable for the synthesis and efficient processing of other superhard refractory materials, such as titanium carbide, silicon carbide or boron carbide materials.