Liquid phase assisted synthesis of (Ti,V,Nb,Ta,W)C-Ni high entropy carbide cermets by conventional pressureless sintering

Two-phase fully dense high entropy carbide (HEC) cermets were successfully prepared following the conventional cemented carbide/cermet processing route. Cold isostatically pressed equimolar TiC, VC, NbC, TaC and WC powder mixtures with 12 vol% Ni binder pressureless sintered in solid state liquid phase sintering regimes respectively. A homogeneous rock-salt (space group Fm3¯m) HEC embedded a nickel alloy was attained by at 1420°C. Thermodynamic simulations conducted to predict equilibrium phases carbide/binder contents. The evolution investigated seven different temperatures 900–1420°C window. Thermogravimetry differential scanning calorimetry analysis performed follow up process. Electron probe microanalysis used map elemental distribution as well quantify constituent Nanoindentation correlate difference mechanical properties of core-rim structured grains chemical composition. (Ti,V,Nb,Ta,W)C - had Vickers hardness 14.3 GPa Palmqvist indentation fracture toughness 9.2 MPa. m1/2.