Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of (Hf-Ta-Ti-Zr-Nb)C High-Entropy Carbides Using a Multi-Step Spark Plasma Sintering Process

In this study, we investigate a multi-step spark plasma sintering (SPS) process for (Hf-Ta-Ti-Zr-Nb)C high-entropy carbides to produce dense, homogeneous carbide materials with superior mechanical properties. The process consists of compacting a high-entropy carbide powder mixture into a green body and sintering it under high-temperature plasma generated by a pulsed direct current voltage. The single-step of SPS achieves partial densification and solidification of the carbide material, while the multi-step process involves enhancing the microstructure and mechanical properties of the final product. Our results demonstrate that the multi-step SPS process effectively produces high-entropy carbides that are denser and harder, with improved mechanical properties. This establishes the multi-step SPS process as a promising technique for the fabrication of advanced carbide materials.