W-C Synthesis in a Pulsed Arc Submerged in Liquid

Abstract

Pulsed arc production of tungsten carbide (W-C) powders in deionized water and analytical (99.8%) ethanol was studied. The arc was ignited between two submerged electrodes: one of 99.99% graphite (C) and the other of 99.5% W. The pulse energy and duration were in the ranges of 7.7-192 mJ and 25-65 ls, respectively. The WC 1-x production rate was maximized by configuring the C electrode as the anode and the W electrode as the cathode. The rate was greater in ethanol than in water. The rate of producing *10 nm particles in ethanol was two orders of magnitude greater when using W anode -C cathode configuration, than with the opposite polarity.