Processing and characterization of Ultra High Temperature High‐Entropy (Ti0.2Zr0.2Hf0.2Mo0.2W0.2)B2-based Ceramics: Effect of W granulometry, graphite, and SiC addition

Abstract

A highly dense and single phase (Ti_0.2Zr_0.2Hf_0.2Mo_0.2W_0.2)B₂ ceramic product is obtained in this work at 1950°C (20 min, 20 MPa) by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) from powders prepared by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS). The formation of the (W,Mo)B₂ secondary phase is avoided using fine W precursors and adding 1 wt% graphite to the SHS powders before SPS. Kinetic limitations responsible for hindering the synthesis of the high entropy boride are correspondingly eliminated. The resulting 98.5 % dense sample exhibits a homogeneous microstructure, with Vickers hardness of 26.8 GPa. The introduction of 20 vol% SiC produces an increase of the K_IC values from 2.32 to 5.11 MPa m^1/2. Very relevant is that the volatilization of Mo- and W-oxides occurring during sample oxidation at high temperature, which leads to its rapid degradation with the formation of a very porous oxide scale, can be strongly inhibited by the silicate phases generated in the composite ceramic.