Physics of transition metal carbides

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Abstract

The refractory compounds TiC, ZrC, HfC, VC, NbC and TaC comprise a family of materials characterized by high melting point, great hardness and low chemical reactivity. These properties, which are exploited in tribological applications, are reviewed and discussed in terms of models taken from solid state physics. Particular attention is given to the important role of non-stoichiometry in these compounds and its influence on bonding and on transport properties. It is argued that the non-stoichiometry is a metastable condition, however, in view of the presece of ordered phases at certain values of carbon-to-metal ratio. The substantial impact of order-disorder transformations on transport properties is analyzed. The partially covalent bonding is discussed in terms of mixing of 2p and metal 3d or 4d atomic states, and the high Peierls stress resisting dislocation motion is thereby justified.

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