Prediction of grain boundary strength and mechanical responses of high-entropy carbides reinforced by hybrid graphene and SiC nanowire

Abstract

The excellent performance of high entropy ceramics (HECs) has attracted extreme attention in the most advanced functional applications and engineering structures, yet the poor toughness limits the application of HECs in many fields. As a consequence, advanced technology and new doping phases are urgently demanded to enhance the comprehensive mechanical properties of HEC composites. The microstructure model of 0.2 wt% graphene (G) and SiC nanowires (SiCnw) doped in (HfNbTaTiZr)C is established in Abaqus with Python language. The effects of HEC-HEC interface strength and HEC-G interface strength on crack propagation and mechanical properties of HEC composites were investigated. The improvement of mechanical properties of (HfNbTaTiZr)C with different content of SiCnw was predicted respectively. The composites obtain the optimal combination of mechanical properties at the content of 1.5 wt% SiCnw. The accuracy of the simulation is verified by the experimental data of mechanical properties changing trend and toughening mechanism, providing theoretical support for toughening HEC composites.