Group IV Metal Carbides

A Critical Review and Technology Assessment

April 1999

Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables ..................................................................................................vii
Editors Note........................................................................................................................viii
1.0

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... 1

2.0

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 3

2.1
2.2
2.3

Applications.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Approach.............................................................................................................................................. 6
Structure ............................................................................................................................................... 6

3.0

COMMERCIAL SOURCES FOR MATERIALS............................................... 7

4.0

FABRICATION TECHNIQUES............................................................................ 9

4.1
Chemical Vapor Deposition............................................................................................................... 9
4.1.1
Thin Films ..................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1.2
Whiskers........................................................................................................................................ 9
4.2
Sputtering ...........................................................................................................................................10
4.2.1
DC Sputtering..............................................................................................................................10
4.2.2
RF Sputtering ..............................................................................................................................11
4.2.3
Comparison of Sputtering Methods...........................................................................................11
4.3
Zone Refining.....................................................................................................................................11
4.4
Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis............................................................................12
4.4.1
Procedure.....................................................................................................................................12
4.4.2
Advantages of Self-Propagating High Temperature Synthesis................................................12
4.4.3
Limitations ..................................................................................................................................13
4.5
Densification Techniques.................................................................................................................14
4.6
Compaction........................................................................................................................................14
4.6.1
Isostatic Compression.................................................................................................................14
4.6.2
Hot Pressing ................................................................................................................................15
4.6.3
Dynamic Compaction.................................................................................................................15
4.7
New Synthesis Methods ....................................................................................................................15

5.0
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

IMAGING AND ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES ................................................... 17

Visual Microscopy.............................................................................................................................17
X-Ray Diffraction..............................................................................................................................17
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)...........................................................................................17
Auger Spectroscopy ..........................................................................................................................17
Other Imaging Techniques..............................................................................................................18

AMPTIAC

6.0
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9

7.0

PROPERTIES ......................................................................................................... 19
Hardness Tests...................................................................................................................................19
Flexural, Compressive and Tensile Tests ......................................................................................19
Friction and Wear.............................................................................................................................19
Effect of Temperature on Properties.............................................................................................19
Effect of Stoichiometry on Properties............................................................................................20
Thermodynamic Properties.............................................................................................................20
Mechanical Properties......................................................................................................................21
Electronic Properties........................................................................................................................22
Corrosion and Erosion Properties..................................................................................................22

APPLICATION AREAS........................................................................................ 25

7.1
Nuclear Power Components ............................................................................................................25
7.1.1
Tokamak Reactors ......................................................................................................................25
7.1.2
Nuclear Fuel Encapsulation.......................................................................................................25
7.1.3
Thermionic Emitters...................................................................................................................25
7.2
Composites for Manufacturing .......................................................................................................26
7.3
Engine and Rocket Motor Applications ........................................................................................26

8.0

SUMMARY.............................................................................................................. 27

APPENDIX 1

CORRELATION OF MATERIAL PROPERTIES TO

REFERENCES....................................................................................... 29

APPENDIX 2

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................... 47

vi

Group IV Metal Carbides

A Critical Review and Technology Assessment
April 1999

List of Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5

Phase Diagram for the Titanium and Carbon System..................................................................... 4

Phase Diagram for the Zirconium and Carbon System.................................................................. 5
Phase Diagram for the Hafnium and Carbon System..................................................................... 6
Sputtering Chamber for Both DC and RF Sputtering...................................................................10
Octahedral Holes in a Face-Centered Close-Packed Structure....................................................20

Table 1
Table 2
Table 3

Grades of Titanium and Zirconium Carbide Available from H. C. Starck ................................... 7

Cost Per Gram of Representative Compounds..............................................................................13
Results of Density Measurements on Some Polycrystalline TiC1-x Alloys .................................21

vii