High-Entropy Materials

Next-Generation Wear-Resistant Composites

As part of the EU-funded CoBRAIN project,

MBN has developed an innovative class of High Entropy Hardmetals (HHMs), combining 60 vol% Titanium Carbide (TiC) reinforcement with customizable High Entropy Alloy (HEA) matrix compositions. The TiC carbide phase is synthesized in-situ via mechanochemical processing, ensuring uniform dispersion of submicron carbide particles throughout the multi-principal element alloy matrix—critical for achieving superior hardness, wear resistance, and thermal stability.

These advanced cermet powders are engineered specifically for thermal spray coating applications including HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel), HVAF (High Velocity Air Fuel), and Cold spray deposition, where they form dense, adherent wear-resistant coatings with exceptional abrasion resistance, corrosion protection, and high-temperature oxidation resistance. Produced via MBN’s proprietary Mechanomade® high-energy ball milling technology, the powders feature controlled particle size distribution and optimised phase distribution for consistent sprayability, deposition efficiency, and coating performance.

COMPOSITION

Titanium carbide 60% – Metallic matrix 40%

Matrix options: AISI 316L, AISI 410, AISI 940, FeCr, NiCr, AlCuCrFeNi, CrFeMnNiSi

Customized powders for Advanced Applications

Cantor Alloy (equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi composition) is one of the most extensively studied High Entropy Alloys (HEAs), renowned for exceptional mechanical stability, high ductility, and outstanding corrosion resistance across extreme temperature ranges. Originally identified by Prof. Brian Cantor, this single-phase FCC alloy remains the benchmark system for compositionally complex alloy (CCA) development and multi-principal element alloy research.

COMPOSITION
Cobalt 20% – Chromium 20% – Iron 20% – Manganese 20% – Nickel  20%

In the context of project FORGE , MBN produces Cantor Alloy powders using its proprietary Mechanomade® mechanical alloying technology, ensuring precise elemental homogenization and controlled nanostructured microstructure. Powders are supplied with customized particle size distributions and tailored powder morphology, optimised for Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) consolidation, additive manufacturing, thermal spray coating deposition, or spark plasma sintering.

Beyond Cantor Alloy, MBN’s High Entropy Alloy portfolio includes:
AlCrFeNiTi – lightweight, oxidation-resistant HEA
AlCrMoNbTi – refractory HEA for high-temperature applications
CrMnNbSiW – ultra-high temperature HEA
AlCuCrFeNi – precipitation-hardenable HEA system

This compositional diversity showcases the flexibility of the Mechanomade® solid-state processing to combine elements with vastly different melting points—impossible through conventional liquid metallurgy routes like casting or atomization.

Industrial Applications span advanced tooling, energy sector components, and aerospace structural parts, where high strength-to-ductility balance, thermal stability at elevated temperatures, fatigue resistance, and structural integrity under cyclic loading are critical performance requirements.

MBN offers both standard HEA compositions and customer-specific alloy development, supporting the transition from lab-scale materials discovery to industrial-scale production.