Fabrication and characterization of (Ti,W)C-HEA cermets based on the CoCrFeNiTi high entropy alloy

High entropy alloys (HEAs) exhibit distinctive core effects and excellent properties, presenting promising prospects for various applications, particularly as potential cermet adhesives. (Ti,W)C-HEA cermets were synthesized using vacuum sintering, employing mechanically alloyed CoCrFeNiTi HEA powder as a binder. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the produced cermets were systematically analyzed, with a particular focus on the effect of the HEA binder on the mechanical properties of the cermets. The findings indicated a decreasing trend in relative density, Rockwell hardness, and transverse rupture strength (TRS) of the cermets. Notably, the CM1 group ((Ti,W)C-30 wt% Co 20 Cr 20 Fe 20 Ni 35 Ti 5 ) demonstrated the most favorable overall properties, with values of 97.0 % for relative density, 83.2 HRA for Rockwell hardness, and 776.6 MPa for TRS. The phase transformation of HEAs at elevated temperatures was meticulously investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and heat treatment. Combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD), the phase transformation of Co 20 Cr 20 Fe 20 Ni 25 Ti 15 and Co 20 Cr 20 Fe 20 Ni 15 Ti 25 , heat treated at increasing temperatures, is as follows: FCC + BCC (milled) → FCC + σ (700°C–1100 °C) → FCC (bulk).