Lattice strain and texture analysis of superhard Mo_0.9W_1.1BC and ReWC_0.8: Via diamond anvil cell deformation

Mo_0.9W_1.1BC and ReWC_0.8 compositions have recently been identified to have exceptional hardness and incompressibility. In this work, these compositions are analyzed via in situ radial X-ray diffraction experiments to comparatively assess lattice strain and texture development. Traditionally, Earth scientists have employed these experiments to enhance understanding of dynamic activity within the deep Earth. However, nonhydrostatic compression experiments provide insight into materials with exceptional mechanical properties, as they help elucidate correlations between structural, elastic, and mechanical properties. Here, analysis of differential strain (t/G) and lattice preferred orientation in Mo_0.9W_1.1BC suggests that dislocation glide occurs along the (010) plane in orthorhombic Mo_0.9W_1.1BC. The (200) and (002) planes support the highest differential strain, while planes which bisect two or three axes, such as the (110) or (191), exhibit relatively lower differential strain. In ReWC_0.8, which crystallizes in a cubic NaCl-type structure, planar density is correlated to orientation-dependent lattice strain as the low-density (311) plane elastically supports more differential strain than the denser (111), (200), and (220) planes. Furthermore, results indicate that ReWC_0.8 likely supports a higher differential stress t than Mo_0.9W_1.1BC and, based on a lack of texture development, bulk plastic yielding is not observed in ReWC_0.8 upon compression to ∼60 GPa.