Hafnium carbide powder for plasma electrodes, method for producing same, hafnium carbide sintered body, and plasma electrode

Abstract

Hafnium carbide powder for plasma electrodes is represented by a chemical formula HfCx (where x=0.5 to 1.0). The content of carbon particles contained as impurities in the hafnium carbide powder is less than or equal to 0.03% by mass. The hafnium carbide powder preferably has an average particle size of 0.5 to 2 μm. To produce the hafnium carbide powder, a pellet made from mixed powder of hafnium oxide and carbon is first placed in a second crucible made of silicon carbide. Then, the hafnium carbide powder is formed by heating the second crucible at 1800 to 2000° C. with the second crucible arranged in a first crucible made of carbon.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.