Abstract:Effect of mechanical activation on microwave carbothermal reduction of Nb2O5 was studied applying high-energy ball mill and microwave sintering furnace. Reduction of Nb2O5 under different ball milling time and heating temperature was analyzed. Reduction and microstructure of Nb2O5 were studied by means of electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and weight loss rate. The results show that weight loss rate of Nb2O5 rises with extension of ball milling time under the same sintering temperature; Most Nb2O5 can be reduced to NbC under ball milling for 20 h and microwave sintering at 1 200 ℃, and metal niobium can be successfully prepared when ball milling time is 30 h and microwave sintering temperature is 1 400 ℃. Mechanical activation can accelerate process of microwave carbothermal reduction of Nb2O5 and reduce reaction temperature.