Ta(B, C, N) and (Ta, Mi)(B, C, N) (Mi = Nb, W) ceramics by high-energy ball milling: processing and solution mechanisms

In order to study the solid-solution process between amorphous BCN and metal Ta, Ta(B, C, N), (Ta, Nb)(B, C, N), and (Ta, W)(B, C, N) ceramics were prepared by high-energy ball milling, and their phase composition, microstructures, and binding bonds have been analyzed. The results show that all the three ceramics are hard agglomeration state, formed by stacking of nanoparticles. The mechanical alloying process is accompanied by the formation of chemical bonds, such as B–Ta, N–Ta, C–Ta, and O–Ta for Ta(B, C, N) ceramic, and the order of solid solution is C > N > B. When heated at 1500°C, a second diboride phase precipitates from (Ta, Nb)(B, C, N) ceramic, whereas the second phase of WC gradually dissolved from (Ta, W)(B, C, N) ceramic. This work provides theoretical and data supporting to analyze the solid-solution process of Ta(B, C, N) ceramic.