Development of Extreme Hardness Alloys by Lattice Occupancy Project

Abstract

New metallic alloys were developed based on lattice occupancy project employing 9 distinct elements. Chromium equivalent equation is the key parameter on selecting the alloy elements in the sense that higher coefficient of chosen element will expand and stabilize the body centred cubic field. Other assumed concept in the alloy project considers one same element repeated 3 times at molar base, reducing the number of elements to 7. The alloys were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, revealing there are 2 or 3 main crystalline body centred cubic phases. As-cast and carburized alloys of extreme hardness were obtained from 1420 HV to 2507 HV with reasonable toughness. The new alloys are the hardest metallic materials known to mankind, with promising applications.