Preparation of high-entropy carbides by different sintering techniques

Abstract Dense (Hf, Ta, Nb, Ti, V)C- and (Ta, V, W)C-based high-entropy carbides (HEC) were produced by three different sintering techniques: gas pressure sintering/sinter–HIP at 1900 °C 100 bar Ar, vacuum 2250 0.001 as well SPS/FAST 2000 60 MPa pressure. The relative density varied from 97.9 to 100%, with SPS producing 100% dense samples both compositions. Grain size measurements showed that the substitution of Hf W leads an increase in mean grain 5–10 times V,)C samples. Vacuum-sintered uniform distribution regardless composition. EDS mapping revealed formation a solid solution no intermetallic phases or element clustering. X-ray diffraction analysis structure mostly single-phase cubic carbides. Hardness V)C possess higher hardness values than W)C