Synthesis of TiNxC1-x whiskers

A preparation route for TiNxC1-x whiskers having the NaCl-type structure was investigated. The samples were grown via a carbothermal vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. By changing the chemical composition, it was possible to vary the thermal expansion coefficient and the chemical properties, which in turn ought to increase their usefulness as reinforcing materials. In a nitrogen atmosphere, TiN was thermodynamically more stable than TiC up to approximately 1600 °C. The nitrogen content increased with increasing temperature up to 1100 °C, and at higher temperatures the carbon level increased again for thermodynamic reasons. The whiskers retained their morphology up to 1400 °C, but at higher temperatures the surfaces started to degenerate.