Synthesis of titanium carbide by a spark discharge method using hydrocarbons as reaction media

Titanium carbide powders were synthesised by the spark discharge method in several hydrocarbons, i.e. benzene, toluene, n-pentane, n-heptane, and cyclo-hexane, at 0-160°C and 1.5-11.5 kV discharge voltage using titanium pellets as the starting material. The resulting powders contained significant amounts of α-Ti and carbon. The α-Ti and free carbon in the as prepared powders could be converted to TiC by calcination in argon at 1000-1150°C.