Phase evolution and properties of (VNbTaMoW)C high entropy carbide prepared by reaction synthesis

(VNbTaMoW)C high entropy carbide was fabricated by reaction synthesis using the constituent metal and graphite powders as raw materials. Phase formation and composition uniformity are analyzed using XRD, EDS and SEM. The phase composition for samples sintered at 1600 degrees C includes TaC, NbC, WC, MoC and VC according to XRD peak fitting and deconvolution. Samples sintered at 1850 degrees C form a single phase high entropy carbides, which exhibit high microhardness and relatively lower thermal conductivity of 9.2 W/m.K-1 at room temperature compared with binary carbides. Severe lattice distortion and high concentration of point defects are responsible for the low thermal conductivity of the high entropy (VNbTaMoW)C.