High entropy alloy binders in gradient sintered hardmetal

High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) are a new group of multicomponent alloys showing great potential as bulk alloys in many fields, and their high temperature strength is especially of interest. In previous work (D. Linder, M.Sc Thesis “High Entropy Alloys - Alternative binders in cemented carbides”, Linköping University, Sweden (2015)) we have shown the possibility to produce cemented carbides with HEA-binders using standard powder metallurgical methods. The present work investigates the possibility to produce gradient sintered cemented carbides using HEA-binders. The materials are analyzed with regards to gradient depth, phases formed, phase composition and carbide grain size. The gradient formation is investigated with respect to C-content and sintering process and the results are showing the possibility to form industrially relevant gradient depths using standard methods. These results open up a whole new range of possible applications for these materials and show the potential for future design of a wide composition range of alternative binders.