Phase compatibility in (WC-W2C)/AlFeCoNiCrTi composite produced by spark plasma sintering

Thermodynamic, kinetic as well as thermal compatibilities of the phases of (WC-W2C)/10 wt% AlFeCoNiCrTi composite were studied. The thermodynamic compatibility of the composite constituents was evaluated by spark plasma sintering at different temperatures (1200–1500 °С). It was found that the diffusion layer of (Fe, Co, Ni, Cr)xWyCz phase formed after sintering at 1200–1300 °С, while at temperatures of 1400–1500 °С, the complex carbide is additionally saturated with titanium atoms forming (Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Ti)xWyCz phase. The controlled processes of kinetic interaction between composite phases occur during the annealing of the samples at 1100 °C for 30, 60, and 120 min. The limited solubility and time-controlled diffusion processes indicate the thermodynamic and kinetic compatibilities of the phases in (WC-W2C)/10 wt% AlFeCoNiCrTi composite. Whereas, uncontrolled chemical interactions occur at the interfaces during the liquid phase sintering at temperatures higher than 1300 °C, indicating unsatisfactory thermodynamic compatibility between the components. The thermal compatibility was evaluated by measuring the CTE of AlFeCoNiCrTi and WC-W2C, which was found to be 12 × 10−6 K−1 and ~ 9.5 × 10−6 K−1, respectively. •Thermodynamic, kinetic, and thermal compatibility parameters were studied.•WC-W2C/AlFeCoNiCrTi shows compatibility between the phases during SPS at 1200–1300 °C.•(Fe, Co, Ni, Cr)xWyCz carbide forms due to the reaction of WC-W2C with AlFeCoNiCrTi.•(Fe, Co, Ni, Cr)xWyCz enriches with Ti during liquid-phase SPS at 1400–1500 °C.•CTEs of AlFeCoNiCrTi and WC-W2C are 12 × 10−6 K−1 and ~ 9.5 × 10−6 K−1, respectively.