High-entropy carbide: A novel class of multicomponent ceramics

In this work, an equi-atomic (Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta) C high-entropy carbide (HEC) powder was synthesized using spark plasma sintering (SPS), and its phase evolution, microstructure, composition and oxidation behaviour were investigated in detail. According to the results, pure face-centred cubic structured solid solution could be obtained at 1950 degrees C, with metallic atoms randomly placed in the metallic sublattice. Results also showed that HEC powder exhibited better performance with regards to oxidation resistance than its original components and acted as an indivisible entirety while undergoing oxidation under relatively lower temperatures. This reflected from the side that HEC powder was thermally more stable than its original components.