Preparation of High-Performance High-Entropy (NbTaZrHfTiMoWV)C Ceramic
摘要
A series of high-entropy carbide ceramics (HECCs) (including (NbTaZrHf)C, (NbTaZrHfTi)C, (NbTaZrHfMo)C, (NbTaZrHfTiMo)C, (NbTaZrHfTiMoW)C, (NbTaZrHfTiMoV)C and (NbTaZrHfTiMoWV)C systems) with high-performance were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using self-synthesized fine high-entropy carbides (HECs) powders, WC powder and VC powder. The variations of relative density, microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture mode from quaternary (NbTaZrHf)C ceramic to octary (NbTaZrHfTiMoWV)C ceramic were studied. The results showed that all samples had a high solid solution degree, and the relative density was higher than 99.0 pct. As the component number increased, the hardness of ceramics was greatly improved, while the fracture toughness and transverse rupture strength all showed a decreasing trend. Among all ceramics, (NbTaZrHfTiMoWV)C ceramic exhibited the most satisfactory comprehensive properties with a hardness of 30.05 GPa, a toughness of 5.89 MPa m1/2, and a bending strength of 275 MPa. Compared with the sample (NbTaZrHf)C, the hardness of (NbTaZrHfTiMoWV)C ceramic was increased by 35.3 pct, while the toughness was reduced by 12.8 pct. Oxide particles (Zr, Hf)O2 had a significant contribution to the improvement of the properties through dispersion strengthening and pinning effects. Moreover, as the component number increased, the fracture mechanism changed from the mixed mode of transgranular fracture and intergranular fracture to transgranular fracture dominated mode. This work used self-synthesized ultrafine high-entropy carbides powders as raw material, which enhanced the solid solubility of the material, and greatly improved the relative density and mechanical properties of ceramics.