Synthesis of nanometric MoNbW alloy using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

[Display omitted] •Nanometric refractory powders in the Mo-Nb-W system have been synthesized.•SHS process has been developed to synthesize large quantities of alloys.•Process parameters can be adjusted to yield homogeneous alloys in the nanoscale.•Upscale of the process can be considered for larger amounts, up to the industrial scale. Nanometric powders of stoichiometric compositions in the Mo-Nb-W ternary system were produced by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) using magnesium to reduce their oxides, in presence of sodium chloride. The influence of Mg and adiabatic temperature on the phase compositions of the final products were determined. After reaction, samples were analyzed by XRD, SEM, and BET. Results demonstrate the possibility to obtain high purity nanostructured products in the 20–800nm range, with an average equivalent diameter, from specific surface measurements, of 66nm. For moderate excess Mg amounts, due to the low Mg boiling temperature, niobium is not completely reduced and forms complex compounds with MgO, whereas reduction is near-complete for the highest Mg amounts.