Strengthening and toughening of WC-Ni alloys by adding novel (Ti, Hf, Ta, Nb, Zr)(C, N) high entropy powder

Abstract

A strong and tough WC-11Ni cemented carbide was prepared by adding ultrafine (Ti, Hf, Ta, Nb, Zr)(C, N) high entropy powder with ellipsoidal-like particles of ∼300 nm and a single phase composition via low pressure sintering. WC-11Ni-0.6(Ti, Hf, Ta, Nb, Zr)(C, N) alloy has excellent mechanical properties: bending strength of 2752 MPa, HV30 hardness of 14.76 GPa and toughness of 15.35 MPa·m1/2, which increase by 22.58%, 20.29% and 20.78% respectively, compared with pure WC-11Ni alloy. (Ti, Hf, Ta, Nb, Zr)(C, N) addition with a small content not only inhibits the abnormal growth of WC grains, but also eliminates the aggregation of Ni binder phase and strengthens Ni binding phase. This work provides a simple route to strengthen and toughen WC-Ni alloys by introducing a novel high entropy inhibitor.