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High-entropy ceramic-based cermets represent a new and promising direction in improving the mechanical properties of conventional hardmetals through the formation of complex microstructures during synthesis. This has been systematically studied in two Co-free, high-entropy (Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta) C ceramic-based cermets using 10 wt% Ni and 10 wt% FeCrAl metallic binders during hot-press and spark plasma sintering. Fully densified microstructures were achieved in the temperature range of 1400–1500 °C, which is below the melting points of the pure Ni and FeCrAl alloy, owing to the liquid-phase assisted sintering. The optimal densification routes resulted in Vickers hardness (HV30) of 16. 77 ± 0. 72 and 18. 32 ± 0. 99 GPa, and fracture toughness (KIcSENB) of 5. 31 ± 0. 41 and 4. 83 ± 0. 50 MPa m0. 5, respectively for the Ni and FeCrAl bonded cermets. The improved damage tolerance of these cermets compared to the base (Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta) C high-entropy carbide is related to the reduced grain size and microstructural toughening mechanisms (e. g. crack deflection and bridging).
Vedel et al. (2024) studied this question.