To sythesize β-SiC powder efficiently, the effect of Fe addition on the mechanism of the carbothermic reduction of SiO
2 has been investigated. Using powdered SiO
2-graphite mixtures containing Fe
2O
3 or metalic Fe, the reduction rate has been determined with a thermobalance in an argon atmosphere at 1873 K.
The reduction products were SiC, SiO and Fe-Si alloy. The mole ratio of SiC to SiO increased with increasing Fe
2O
3, but decreased with increasing metallic Fe.
In the early stage of reaction, the rate equation for interfacial reaction control was applicable to the reduction of SiO
2. The additon of Fe
2O
3 increased the rate constant,
k1, because Fe
2O
3 oxidized the graphite particles to render its surface more porous. The addition of metallic Fe practically unaffected
k1.
In the late stage of reaction, the reduction rete was described with Jander’s equation. The rate constant,
k2 was not dependent on the additions of Fe
2O
3 and metallic Fe. The rate-determing step was the solid state diffusion in the continuous SiC layer formed around the graphite particles.
In the transitional stage of reaction of the SiO
2-Fe
2O
3-C mixture, the reduction rate was controlled by the gaseous diffusion through the pores in the SiC film formed incompletely around the porous graphite particles.
抄録全体を表示