Design of CoNiCrFeCu-xSc High-Entropy Alloy Fillers for Braze-Welding of WC-Co to Steel
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Efficient joining of hard metals to steels is crucial for supporting sustainable manufacturing under emissions strategies to minimize CO2. CoNiCrFeCu high-entropy alloy containing scandium (Sc) was designed as a filler for laser braze-welding of WC-Co and steel. The designed compositions with different Sc levels were melted and cast in a high-vacuum non-consumable arc furnace. The results showed that the as-cast microstructure was a complex mixture of a networked Ni2Si, elongated Cr-Fe-Co solid-solution phase, and Fe-Ni-Co-Cu solid-solution phase. Scandium was shown to have formed compounds with nickel/cobalt and copper. The TG-DSC analysis confirmed that the melting points of the designed compositions were between 973.7 °C and 981.5 °C. The maximum spreading area of the CoNiCrFeCu-0.9Sc composition on AISI 1045 steel was 64.83 mm2, and on the WC-Co cermet it was 78.63 mm2. The interface between the fusion zone and AISI 1045 steel exhibited an epitaxial growth of dendrites from the steel base metal. The interface between WC-Co and the fusion zone exhibited a partial penetration of brazing filler into the Co matrix, forming a metallurgical bonding between the dissimilar materials. Sc, as an alloying element in the filler metal, enhanced the bond formation because it decreased the solidus temperature and increased wetting.
Source: Materials
DOI: 10.3390/ma19081606
Authors: Peiquan Xu, Shicheng Sun, Benben Li, Leijun Li
Language: English
Topic: High Entropy Alloys Studies
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7154609778