Investigating the effect of Al, Mo or Mn addition to CoCrFeNi entropy alloys on the interface binding properties of WC/HEA cemented carbides

At present, it is found that the mechanical properties of WC/HEA cemented carbide are mainly affected by the interfacial bonding properties of hard phase and bonding phase. Therefore, the effect of adding Al, Mo or Mn on the interfacial bonding properties of WC/HEA cemented carbides was studied by first-principles simulation. The results show that adding Mn can enhance the interface bonding performance, while adding Al and Mo is the opposite. Compared with Al and Mo atoms, Mn atoms are more likely to form strong bonds with W atoms at WC/HEA cemented carbide interface. In order to verify the rationality of the calculation, WC/HEA cemented carbide samples were prepared by mechanical alloying and gas pressure sintering. It is found that WC/CoCrFeNiMn has the best mechanical properties. Its hardness, fracture toughness and strength are 1562 HV, 9.3 MPa·m1/2, 850 MPa. The experimental results further confirm that adding Mn can improve the interfacial bonding properties of WC/HEA cemented carbide.