WC-Based Cemented Carbides with High Entropy Alloyed Binders: A Review

Cemented carbides have belonged to the most important engineering materials since their invention in 1920s. Commonly, they consist of hard WC grains embedded a cobalt-based ductile binder. Recently, attempts been made substitute cobalt using multicomponent alloys without principal component (also known as high entropy alloys—HEAs). HEAs usually contain at least five components more or less equal amounts. The substitution binder with can lead refinement grains; it increases hardness, fracture toughness, corrosion resistance and oxidation cemented carbides. For example, hardness 2358 HV, toughness 12.1 MPa.m1/2 compression strength 5420 MPa were reached for WC-based carbide 20 wt.% equimolar AlFeCoNiCrTi HEA bcc lattice. 10 Co27.4Cr13.8Fe27.4Ni27.4Mo4 an fcc lattice had 2141 HV 10.5 MPa.m1/2. These values are higher than those typical WC–10 Co composite. also influences phase transitions (between fcc, hcp phases). transformations be successfully used purposeful modifications properties WC-HEA shape WC/binder interfaces (e.g., faceting–roughening) influence mechanical possible reason such behavior is modification conditions dislocation glide well development growth cracks last stages deformation. Thus, very promising further