High entropy alloys in hard metals for cutting in steels

Important results from the project

Investigate hard metal composites based on high entropy alloys with first principles calculations as a guide for experiments. Determine the possibility to go on to verification stage.

Expected long term effects

The following questions were expected to be answered in the project: 1) ´carbon window´? - We have successfully determined the carbon window. 2) Crystal phase has the HEAs? - Predicted fcc solid solution phase was verified experimentally. 3) Pre-milling of the binder alloys? - No pre-milling was needed. 4) Oxygen levels - Normal oxygen levels were detected in the prototype materials. 5) Sintering temperatures? - Standard sintering temperatures were needed. 6) Physical properties of the resulting WC-HEA metal? - Interesting physical properties that need further studies.

Approach and implementation

Point: 1) We performed thermodynamic calculations of carbon window We performed first principles simulations of HEAs 2) We performed calculations of HEA phases by first principles simulations We confirmed fcc structures eperimentally We performed thermodynamic calculations of phase diagrams 3) We tested standard milling of theoretically obtained HEA compositions 4) We prepared HEA powders in atmosphere 5) We performed a set of various sinterings at different temperatures 6) We found interesting physical properties that need to be studied further