PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL MODELING AND INVESTIGATION OF THE “HIGH-ENTROPY METAL MATRIX / TiC” SYSTEM COMPONENTS INTERACTION

The research carried out is aimed at developing the scientific basis for obtaining new composite materials based on high-entropy alloys, as well as developing the basic principles of processing and operation of such materials. It was necessary to conduct a theoretical and experimental study of the physical-chemical processes occurring during the interaction of high-entropy alloys with reinforcing TiC particles, as well as to study the effect of temperature and composition of interacting phases on the interaction process and its results. Thermodynamic and kinetic modeling of the interaction processes of the matrix components of high-entropy alloys based on the Cantor alloy (FeCoCrNiMn), including titanium and carbon with the formation of titanium carbide was carried out. Modern modeling approaches were used, which makes it possible to implement modern software. In particular, thermodynamic modeling using methods developed within the framework of the Calphad approach was carried out. Thermo-Calc software (includingTC-PRISMA kinetic modeling software) and FactSage software were used in the research process. An experimental study of the composition and structure of samples of TiC-reinforced metal matrix materials (using electron microscopy, X-ray spectral microanalysis and XRD) was also carried out. The distribution of various elements in the microstructure of materials and their phase composition were investigated. Comparison of the simulation results with experimental data allowed to make conclusions about the qualitative adequacy of thermodynamic and kinetic models of phase equilibria and phase transformations occurring during the formation, possible heat treatment and operation of TiC-reinforced metal matrix materials at high temperatures to the observed experimental data.