New Route to Synthesize High-Entropy Carbide Powders by Mechanical Alloying

Abstract

A new route for the synthesis of the (NbTa) 0.67 (TiHfZr) 0.33 C and (NbTa) 0.67 (MoHfW) 0.33 C high-entropy carbides powders by mechanical alloying is presented. Namely, pure metal powders were wet-milled in toluene using a planetary mill under an argon atmosphere. The synthesized materials crystallize with a rock-salt structure (space group Fm3 ¯ m). A significant reduction in structural defects with annealing of the samples was detected with X-ray diffraction and positron annihilation experiments. Simultaneously, only simple metallic properties without any trace of magnetic or superconducting phase transitions were observed.