US Patent 9079778 Production of near-stoichiometric spherical tungsten carbide particles

Near-stoichiometric spherical tungsten carbide particles and a method for making near-stoichiometric spherical tungsten carbide particles are disclosed. The method of making these particles may comprise coating a starting powder with a carbon containing compound followed by plasma processing the starting powder in a plasma formed by known ionization techniques using a suitable fluid medium. The near-stoichiometric spherical tungsten carbide particles exhibit desirable particle uniformity, impact resistance, and wear resistance in a variety of applications.