Synthesis of TiB sub 2 by the borothermic/carbothermic reduction of TiO sub 2 with B sub 4 C

TiB{sub 2} powder can be produced by the reaction of TiO{sub 2} with B{sub 4}C. The reaction proceeds first by a borothermic reduction, producing TiB{sub 2}, TiBO{sub 3}, B{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and carbon. A high-temperature carbothermic process completes the reaction. Excess B{sub 2}O{sub 3} can bee removed by either evaporation or reduction to a volatile oxide, depending on firing conditions. Because of the mechanisms involved in B{sub 2}O{sub 3} removal, the final TiB{sub 2} purity is insensitive to the stoichiometry of the initial precursor blend.