Ultra-coarse, monocrystalline tungsten carbide and a process for the preparation thereof, and hardmetal produced therefrom

摘要

A process is described for the preparation of tungsten and/or molybdenum metal powder or carbide by reducing and optionally carburizing treatment of tungsten and/or molybdenum oxide powder in the presence of alkali metal compounds, wherein at least two alkali metal compounds are used in a ratio so that mixed alkali tungstate or molybdate potentially formed in an intermediate step ((Li, Na, K)₂ WO_Z, (Li, Na, K)₂MoO_Z) has a melting point of less than 550° C., wherein z is from 3 to 4.