Tungsten Iron Carbides

By heating a mixture of tungstic anhydride, iron, and petroleum coke in a carbon crucible in an electric furnace a double carbide is formed, for which the formula 2Fe₃C.3W₂C has been suggested. The carbide is highly magnetic and may be separated by means of a magnet.after treatment of the product with hot concentrated hydrochloric acid. It is obtained in brilliant microscopic prisms with the colour of pyrites and of density 13.4 at 18° C. A double carbide, of composition Fe₃C.WC, has also been obtained by the action of dilute acid on tungsten steel. This is the normal condition in which tungsten carbide is present in steel. The double carbide decomposes at 400° C.