The research team led by SCUT Researcher Chu Yanhui published a study titled “Exceptional Oxidation Resistance of High-Entropy Carbides up to 3,600°C” in Advanced Materials. Through a high-entropy, multi-constituent compositional approach, the team successfully developed an oxidation-resistant high-entropy carbide material, (Hf, Ta, Zr, W)C, which is capable of withstanding ultra-high temperatures up to 3,600°C. This new type of ultra-high-temperature ceramic material holds significant potential for applications in aerospace & aviation, new energy, and other fields requiring extreme high-temperature resistance.

The exceptional ultra-high-temperature oxidation resistance of this material primarily stems from the formation of a tungsten alloy with an ultra-high melting point. Tungsten exhibits the highest surface oxygen adsorption energy among the constituent elements, making it the most oxidation-resistant. The other elements oxidize preferentially, thereby inhibiting the oxidation of the tungsten alloy. Based on this mechanism, the tungsten alloy disperses uniformly within the oxide layer, acting as a high-melting-point skeleton that enhances the viscosity of the oxide, effectively suppresses high-temperature volatilization of the oxide, and impedes oxygen penetration into the inner matrix.