Spinodal Decomposition in (Ti, Zr)(C, N) Ceramics: Data-Driven Efficient Design and Hardness-Toughness Synergy

Traditional transition-metal carbide and nitride ceramics often exhibit a trade-off between hardness and toughness, leading to significantly reduced service life under severe conditions such as wear, corrosion, and high temperature. In this study, a spinodal decomposition-induced phasese paration strategy was employed to simultaneously enhance the hardness and toughness of (Ti, Zr)(C, N) carbonitride ceramics. Guided by thermodynamic calculations, a series of compositional variants of (Ti, Zr)(C, N) ceramics were synthesized, and the effects of aging temperature and duration on the microstructural evolution were systematically investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that spinodal decomposition induces the formation of a nanoscale phase-separated network, which strengthens the material while preserving fracture resistance. Furthermore, machine-learning models were developed to quantitatively correlate composition, microstructural features, and mechanical properties, enabling efficient screening and optimization of carbonitride ceramics. This work not only elucidates the intrinsic mechanisms by which spinodal decomposition enhances ceramic mechanical performance but also provides a data-driven framework for the rational design of high-performance ceramics for extreme environments.