(Ti,W)C-Based Ceramics: Processing, Microstructural Evolution, Strengthening Mechanisms, and Performance

The rapid development of advanced structural systems imposes increasingly severe thermomechanical demands on engineering materials operating under extreme service environments. Consequently, the development of high-performance structural materials capable of enduring such harsh conditions has become a primary research focus. Owing to their high melting points, elevated hardness, and thermodynamic stability, (Ti,W)C solid-solution ceramics have emerged as promising candidate materials for high-temperature and extreme-environment structural components. This review presents a systematic overview of recent advancements in (Ti,W)C-based ceramics across processing, microstructural, and performance domains. Specifically, the effects of consolidation techniques—including hot pressing (HP), spark plasma sintering (SPS), and reactive sintering (RS)—on densification kinetics, grain growth behavior, and core–rim microstructural evolution are critically discussed. Furthermore, the governing strengthening and toughening mechanisms, such as solid-solution strengthening, secondary-phase dispersion, and crack-tip shielding (predominantly crack deflection and bridging), are comprehensively examined, alongside their behavioral response and degradation-mitigation mechanisms under extreme service environments. Finally, current processing bottlenecks, brittleness issues, and manufacturing challenges are critically outlined, providing prospective research directions for the future development and engineering application of (Ti,W)C ceramics.