Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of AlCrFeNiCoC high entropy alloy produced via spark plasma sintering

AlCrFeCoC high entropy alloy was synthesised through mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. The milling time had a strong influence on the particles shape and structure and consequently on microstructural and mechanical evolution of the material after sintering. The material's microstructure after spark plasma sintering contained FCC and BCC phases as well as ordered BCC and C₂₃C₆ carbide. The material's strength increased with increasing the milling time because of the finer microstructure and phases formation evolution.     

Influence of Cr removal on the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of a high-entropy Al0.8Ti0.2CoNiFeCr alloy fabricated by powder metallurgy

We report a systematic study on the influence of Cr removal on the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of an ultra-fine grained (UFG) high-entropy alloy (HEA), Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFeCr, fabricated via spark plasma sintering (SPS) of mechanically alloyed (MA’ed) powders from constituent elemental powders. The MA’ed Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFeCr powders consist principally of a BCC phase (～85 vol.-%) with a small amount of FCC phase (～15 vol.-%), whereas the MA’ed Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFe powders present similar phases to those in the MA’ed Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFeCr powders. Interestingly, the SPS processed UFG Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFeCr alloy contains mostly an FCC phase (～78 vol.-%) and some BCC phase (～22 vol.-%); in contrast, the SPS processed UFG Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFe alloy consists of a slightly enriched BCC phase (～53 vol.-%) and an FCC phase (～47 vol.-%). In addition, the SPS processed Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFe alloy exhibits slightly higher yield strength, compressive strength and hardness but lower plasticity than those of the SPS processed Al_0.8Ti_0.2CoNiFeCr alloy.

Special theme block on high entropy alloys, guest edited by Paula Alvaredo Olmos, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain, and Sheng Guo, Chalmers University, Gothenburg, Sweden.     

Microstructures and properties of CoCrCuFeNiMox high-entropy alloys fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering

CoCrCuFeNiMox (x values in molar ratio, x?=?0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8) high-entropy alloys were prepared by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering method. The effects of Mo addition on microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) result showed that the addition of Mo into CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) changed the original phase constitution from FCC to FCC?+?σ?+?μ and the peak intensity of (1 1 1) shifted to the left and decreased steadily. The field emission scanning electron microscope confirmed that the Cu-rich second FCC phase disappeared and the σ phase with a tetragonal structure expanded as the Mo content was increased. Additionally, a high density of dimple-like features were seen in CoCrCuFeNi HEA while typical quasi-cleavage facets could be observed from the fracture surfaces of the HEAs with the addition of Mo. The Mo0.8 alloy showed a good wear resistant and appropriate strength with fracture strain 22.70%, fraction coefficient 0.65, hardness 530?HV and compressive strength 1448?MPa.

Special theme block on high entropy alloys, guest edited by Paula Alvaredo Olmos, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain, and Sheng Guo, Chalmers University, Gothenburg, Sweden.     

Overcoming the Strength-Plasticity Trade-Off in a Multi-phase Equiatomic CrCuNiTiV 3d Transition Metal High-Entropy Alloy

The phase components, microstructures, and mechanical properties of a multi-phase equiatomic 3d transition metal high entropy alloy, CrCuNiTiV, were investigated. In the as-cast condition, the alloy was mainly composed of a body-centered cubic (BCC) dendritic phase and a face-centered cubic (FCC) interdendritic phase, with the BCC dendrite uniformly distributed in the FCC matrix. Through annealing, three phases decomposed from the FCC parent phase, and small particles and stripes were derived from the elongated stripes of the as-cast alloy. Outstanding plasticity was acquired with only a small sacrifice in the yield strength after annealing. Specifically, the plasticity increased from 12.7 pct in the as-cast condition to 23.4 pct in the annealed condition while high yield strengths of 965 and 877 MPa were retained in the as-cast and annealed alloys, respectively. Overcoming the strength-plasticity trade-off in the annealed CrCuNiTiV alloy was mainly achieved via the large volume fraction of FCC interdendritic phases, together with the precipitation of one BCC phase and two FCC phases.

     

Formation and Mechanical Behavior of Body-Centered-Cubic Zr(Hf)-Nb-Ti Medium-Entropy Alloys

The present work investigated the formation and mechanical behavior of body-centered-cubic (BCC) Zr(Hf)-Nb-Ti medium entropy alloys (MEAs), in which three series of alloys, [Zr-Zr₁₄](Zr,Nb)₃, [Ti-Zr₁₄](Ti,Nb)₃, and [Ti-(Hf,Zr)₁₄](Nb)₃, were designed by the cluster formula approach. With increasing the Nb content, the BCC-β structural stability of the [Zr-Zr₁₄](Zr,Nb)₃ alloys would be enhanced, as evidenced by the BCC [Zr-Zr₁₄](Nb)₃ (Zr_83.33Nb_16.67 in atomic percent at. pct) alloy containing a minor amount of ω phase. An appropriate content of Ti addition can further improve the BCC-β stability of [Ti-Zr₁₄](Nb₃) (Zr_77.77Ti_5.56Nb_16.67) alloy without any ω precipitation. The further substitution of Hf/Ti for the Zr could also render the [Ti-Zr₈Hf₄Ti₂](Nb₃) (Zr_44.44 Hf_22.22Ti_16.67Nb_16.67) alloy with a single BCC structure. All these BCC MEAs exhibit prominent mechanical properties, as exemplified by the [Ti-Zr₈Hf₆](Nb₃) (Zr_44.44Hf_33.33Ti_5.56Nb_16.67) with a higher yield strength of 662 MPa, a larger elongation to fraction of 15.2 pct, and a lower Young’s modulus of 71 GPa.

     

Influence of alloying elements and grain refiner on microstructure,mechanical and wear properties of Mg-Al-Zn alloys

In the present investigation, the effects of alloying elements (Sn, Pb) and grain refiner (Ag, Zr) on microstructure, mechanical and wear properties of as-cast Mg-Al-Zn alloys were studied. The alloys were prepared through melting-casting route under a protective atmosphere and cast into a permanent mould. The microstructure of the base alloy consisted of α-Mg, Mg₁₇Al₁₂ continuous eutectic phase at the grain boundary and Mg-Zn phase was distributed within the grains. Addition of Sn and Pb suppressed the formation of continuous Mg₁₇Al₁₂ eutectic phase and formed Pb enriched Mg₂Sn precipitates at the grain boundary as well as inside the grain. The Ag and Zr addition to Mg-Al-Zn-Sn-Pb alloy suppressed the Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase formation and refined the grains leading to improve mechanical properties. Addition of Sn, Pb and grain refiner (Ag, Zr) significantly enhanced the tensile strength and elongation but reduced hardness. The Ag addition imparted best tensile properties, where ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation are 205?MPa and 8.0%, respectively. The fracture surfaces were examined under SEM which revealed cleavage facets and dimple formation. Therefore, the cleavage fracture and dimple rupture were considered as the dominant fracture mechanisms for developed Mg alloys. The cumulative volume loss of Mg alloys increased with sliding distance and applied load. The coefficient of friction decreased with sliding distance. The microscopic observation, analysis of the wear surface and coefficient of friction revealed that the wear mechanism of developed Mg alloys changes from abrasion oxidation to delamination wear.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Y-Nd-Zr alloys

The microstructure and tensile properties of the as-cast and solution treatment Mg-4.5Zn-1Y-xNd-0.5Zr (x=0, 1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 3 wt.%) alloys were investigated. The results showed that the microstructure of Mg-4.5Zn-1Y-0.5Zr alloy consisted of α-Mg, Zn-Zr, W (Mg₃Y₂Zn₃) and I (Mg₃YZn₆) phases. With the addition of Nd, I-phase disappeared and Mg₃Y₂Zn₃ phase changed into Mg₃(Nd,Y)₂Zn₃ phase. When the content of Nd reached 3 wt.%, T phase, i.e., ternary Mg-Zn-Nd phase, formed. In addition, with the increase of Nd content in the alloys, the secondary dendritic arm spacing decreased, while the amount of intermetallic phases increased. For as-cast Mg-4.5Zn-1Y-xNd-0.5Zr alloys, after solution treatment, microsegregation was eliminated and the shape of eutectic structure of α-Mg+W transformed from lamellar into spherical. The tensile strength and elongation of Mg-4.5Zn-1Y- 3Nd-0.5Zr alloy were increased from 219.2 MPa and 11.0% to 247.5 MPa and 20.0%, respectively.     

Room temperature compressive properties and strengthening mechanism of Mg_(96.17)Zn_(3.15)Y_(0.50)Zr_(0.18) alloy solidified under high pressure

The microstructures of Mg_(96.17)Zn_(3.15)Y_(0.50)Zr_(0.18) alloys solidified under 2-6 GPa high pressure were investigated by employing SEM(EDS) and TEM.The strengthening mechanism of experimental alloy solidified under high pressure is also discussed by analyzing the compressive properties and compression fracture morphology.The results show that the microstructure of experimental alloy becomes significantly fine-grained with increasing GPa level high pressure during solidification process,and the secondary dendrite arm spacing reduces from 40 μm at atmospheric pressure to 10 μm at 6 GPa pressure.The morphology of the second phases changes from the net structure by the lamellar-type eutectic structure at atmospheric pressure to discontinuous thin rods or particles at 6 GPa pressure.Besides,the solid solubility of Zn in the Mg matrix is improved with the increase of the solidification pressure.Compared with atmospheric-pressure solidification,high-pressure solidification can improve the strength of the experimental alloy.The compressive stre ngth is improved from 263 to 437 MPa at 6 GPa.The fracture mechanism of the experimental alloy changes from cleavage fracture at atmospheric pressure to quasi-cleavage fracture at high pressure.The main mechanism of the strength improvement of the experimental alloy includes the grain refinement strengthening caused by the refinement of the solidification microstructure,the second phase strengthening caused by the improvement of the morphology and distribution of the second phases,and solid solution strengthening caused by the increase of the solid solubility of Zn in the Mg matrix.     

Effect of vanadium addition on the microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of Al0.5CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy

The authors studied the effect of vanadium addition on the microstructure and properties of Al_0.5CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy. The microstructure of Al_0.5CoCrCuFeNiV _x (x=0 to 2.0 in molar ratio) alloys was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. With little vanadium addition, the alloys are composed of a simple fcc solid-solution structure. As the vanadium content reaches 0.4, a BCC structure appears with spinodal decomposition and envelops the FCC dendrites. From x=0.4 to 1.0, the volume fraction of bcc structure phase increases with the vanadium content increase. When x=1.0, fcc dendrites become completely replaced by bcc dendrites. Needle-like σ-phase forms in bcc spinodal structure and increases from x=0.6 to 1.0 but disappears from x=1.2 to 2.0. The hardness and wear resistance of the alloys were measured and explained with the evolution of the microstructure. The hardness values of the alloys increase when the vanadium content increases from 0.4 to 1.0 and peak (640 HV) at a vanadium content of 1.0. The wear resistance increases by around 20 pct as the content of vanadium increases from x=0.6 to 1.2 and levels off beyond x=1.2. The optimal vanadium addition is between x=1.0 and 1.2. Compared with the previous investigation of Al_0.5CoCrCuFeNi alloy, the vanadium addition to the alloy promotes the alloy properties.     

Structure and mechanical properties of boron-doped cubic zirconium trialuminides

Cubic (L1₂) ternary zirconium trialuminides macroalloyed with Cu(Al₅CuZr₂), Mn(Al₆₆Mn₉Zr₂₅), and Cr(Al₆₇Cr₈Zr₂₅) (atomic percent) and doped with 50 and 100 ppm boron were fabricated by induction melting. Their as-cast microstructures are characterized by a small amount of porosity (1 to 2 pct) and second phase (2 to 3 pct). Boron seems to slightly enhance porosity (up to 3.3 pct) in Al₅CuZr₂ +100 ppm B alloy, and it also promotes some compositional inhomo-geneity in Al₆₆Mn₉Zr₂₅ alloy. Vickers microhardness and compressive properties at room temperature (RT), peak strength temperature (500 °C to 600 °C) and 900 °C were investigated. Microcracking development was also investigated in Al₅CuZr₂ +100 ppm boron alloy exhibiting a stepped load-deflection curve. Vickers microhardness strongly depends on load, similarly to boron-free cubic ternary zirconium and titanium trialuminides, and increases in a systematic way with increasing boron content which seems to indicate a solid solution strengthening effect. At RT, 0.2 pct offset yield strength is not increased by the boron doping in most of the alloys studied except for Al₆₆Mn₉Zr₂₅ + 50 ppm B alloy. Permanent deformation (apparent ductility) at ultimate compressive strength is not enhanced by boron doping. In Al₅CuZr₂ +100 ppm B alloy microcracks start nucleating and proliferating in the elastic region of load-deflection curve in characteristic “bursts” accompanied by a “click” sound and the appearance of a discernible step on the load-deflection curve. Pre-existing pores are observed to be active centers of microcracking.     

Formation and stability of fe-rich precipitates in dilute Zr(Fe) single-crystal alloys

The formation and stability of Fe-rich precipitates in two α-Zr(Fe) single-crystal alloys with nominal compositions I, 50 parts per million by atom (ppma) Fe, and II, 650 ppma Fe, have been investigated. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to examine the characteristics of Fe-rich precipitates. The SEM and TEM micrographs showed that in as-grown alloy II, Zr₂Fe precipitates were located at “stringers. ”Precipitates were not observed in as-grown alloy I. Annealing treatments below 700 °C, for alloy I, and 820 °C, for alloy II, resulted in the diffusion of excess Fe (above the α-phase solution limit) to the free surface with the subsequent formation of Zr₃Fe precipitates in both alloys. Dissolution of Zr₃Fe surface precipitates of alloy I (annealing above the solvus) left precipitate-like features on the surfaces. Zr₂Fe precipitates in as-grown alloy II were readily dissolved by β-phase annealing.     

Studies on Kinetics of BCC to FCC Phase Transformation in AlCoCrFeNi Equiatomic High Entropy Alloy

Kinetics of face-centered cubic (FCC) phase evolution in equiatomic AlCoCrFeNi alloy has been studied in this work, measuring the phase fraction from X-ray diffraction (XRD). As-cast alloy showed a body-centered cubic (BCC)+B2 structure. Heat treatments performed at different temperatures showed the formation up-to 30 to 35 pct FCC phase between 1073 K and 1373 K. A systematic decrease in hardness from 540 to 390 HV₁₀ with increase in temperature suggested an increase in the FCC volume fraction. Kinetics of FCC evolution were analyzed using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov equation and Arrhenius law to calculate the activation energy for the phase transformation. Furthermore, a time-temperature-transformation diagram was constructed from the isothermal transformation studies. Detailed microstructural investigation suggests faster kinetics of FCC phase formation near dendritic boundaries compared to interdendritic regions. The Kurdjumov–Sachs orientation relationship between FCC and BCC phases suggested a coherent interface between these phases. Results of the present study pave the way to decide on heat treatment practices in AlCoCrFeNi alloy.

     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xY-1.5MM-0.4Zr alloys

Age hardening,microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xY-1.5MM-0.4Zr (x=0,2,4,6 wt.%) alloys (MM represents Ce-based misch-metal) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the formed precipitates being responsible for age hardening changed from fine hexagonal-shaped equilibrium Mg12MM phase to metastable β’ phase with bco crystal structure when Y was added into Mg-1.5MM-0.4Zr alloy,and the volume fraction of precipitate phases also increased. With the increase of Y content in Mg-Y-1.5MM-0.4Zr alloys,it was found that the age hardening was enhanced,the grain sizes became finer and the tensile strength was improved. The cubic-shaped β-Mg24Y5 precipitate phases were observed at grain boundaries in Mg-6Y-1.5MM-0.4Zr alloy. It was suggested that the distribution of prismatic shaped β’ phases and cubic shaped β-Mg24Y5 precipitate phases in Mg matrix might account for the remarkable enhancement of tensile strength of Mg-Y-MM-Zr alloy. It was shown that the Mg-6Y-1.5MM-0.4Zr alloy was with maximum tensile strength at aged-peak hardness,UTS of 280 MPa at room temperature and 223 MPa at 250 oC,respectively.     

The eutectoid region of the Zr−Ga system

The zirconium-rich portion of the Zr?Ga phase diagram was determined by the optical examination of microstructures of isothermally annealed and quenched alloys. A deviation from binary equilibrium, was observed even though careful selection of materials and techniques held impurities to a minimum and produced alloys with a purity of at least 99.9 pct. The slopes of the α-β boundaries are depressed and the range of solubility of the solid solution phases is restricted when compared to the phase diagrams of other Group IIIB elements, apparently as a result of the large difference in atomic size between zirconium and gallium. Thea ₀ andc ₀ lattice constants of cph zirconium are contracted and the axial ratio is expanded by the addition of gallium. The change inc/a at 1 at. pct was very close to the change observed in Zr-In alloys, in agreement with general dependence of these properties in zirconium alloys upon electron to atom ratio. A eutectoid reaction occurs at 860°C with β solid solution (1.8 at. pct Ga) decomposing into α solid solution (0.8 at. pct Ga) and Zr₃Ga. Cast microstructures suggest a eutectic reaction in which liquid (21.0 at. pct Ga) decomposes into β (8.0 at. pct Ga) and Zr₅Ga₃. It is proposed that intermediate phases are formed at 25.0 at. pct Ga (Zr₃Ga), 37.5 at. pct Ga (Zr₅Ga₃), and 50.0 at. pct Ga (ZrGa) although the exact composition was not determined.     

铸态共晶高熵合金的研究进展

铸态共晶高熵合金在室温下的力学性能受到其化学成分、相组成和微观组织形貌的影响,是选用恰当的共晶高熵合金以适应于复杂服役环境的重要判据.文中通过调研近年来共晶高熵合金的相关文献,概述了共晶高熵合金的研究现状,按化学元素和共晶组织的相组成特点对共晶高熵合金进行了分类,即主要由FCC相+B2/BCC相组成的AlCoCrFeN...     

Effect of homogenization on microstructure and properties of WE91 alloys

The microstructure and properties of the Mg-9Y-1MM-0.6Zr alloy were studied by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, hardness and tensile testing. Homogeni...     

High Temperature Phase Stability and Microstructural Characterization of D9 Stainless Steel-Zirconium Metal Waste Form Alloys

Zirconium present in stainless steel-zirconium metal waste form (MWF) alloys form Ni?CZr and Fe?CZr intermetallic phases which act as a sink for radionuclide and improve resistance to localized corrosion as well as selective radionuclide leaching. The present study looks into the behavior of Zr intermetallics in MWF alloys with the variation of Zr content after heat treatments. Two MWF alloys of D9 SS (Ti modified 15Cr?C15Ni?C2.5Mo stainless steel) with 8.5 and 17?wt% Zr were heat treated at 1,323?K for 2 and 5?h and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The stability of the Zr intermetallic compounds was examined by high temperature XRD. The results from XRD study showed the presence of NiZr, Ni₅Zr, Ni₇Zr₂, FeZr₂, and Fe₃Zr peaks along with fcc Fe based solid solution. The MWF alloy with 17?wt% Zr exhibited ??-ferrite peak in as-cast condition which was not observed after heat treatment. From the SEM micrograph the agglomeration of intermetallic phases was observed after heat treatment and the grain size of the intermetallic phases increased with duration of heat treatment. The high temperature XRD study revealed that all the intermetallic phases were stable up to 1,173?K and above this temperature Ni?CZr intermetallics started disappearing. However Fe?CZr intermetallics were stable till 1,373?K. The paper presents the high temperature phase stability of D9 SS-Zr MWF alloys.     

Effect of micro-additions of Mo,P, Si and Ti on the thermal stability of Ni24Zr76 metallic glass

The effects of micro-additions (about 1 at.%) of Mo, Ti, Si and P on the thermal stability and crystallization behavior of Ni₂₄Zr₇₆ metallic glass have been investigated. Dynamic devitrification process of these melt-spun amorphous alloys have been followed by means of differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The last two techniques have been employed for studying the microstructural evolution and for identification of the phases formed after crystallization of these alloys. Addition of the above elements results in an increase in thermal stability as indicated by the increase in crystallization temperature, and also by the increase in difference between the crystallization temperature and the glass transition temperature. The enhancement of the thermal stability has been analyzed in terms of the atomic size difference effect, cohesive energy effect, elastic property/physical parameter and thermodynamics of alloying effect. It is found that the enhancement of thermal stability can be well correlated with the thermodynamics of alloying behavior of the third elements in Ni₂₄Zr₇₆ alloy.     

Characterization of Oxide Dispersed AlCoCrFe High Entropy Alloy Synthesized by Mechanical Alloying and Spark Plasma Sintering

The present study deals with phase evolution of oxide dispersed AlCoCrFe high entropy alloy during mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. Mechanical alloying of AlCoCrFe resulted in a single BCC phase. However, ordering of BCC phase with evolution of chromium carbide and sigma phase were observed after spark plasma sintering. High hardness of 1,050 ± 20 HV₁ and 1,070 ± 20 HV₁ was observed for AlCoCrFe high entropy alloy without and with oxide dispersion, respectively. Significant contribution from solid solution strengthening effect in high entropy alloys appears to have overwhelmed the effect of oxide dispersion on hardness.     

Effect of Zr Addition on Microstructure and Properties of FeCrNiMnCoZr x and Al0.5FeCrNiMnCoZr x High Entropy Alloys

In this study, the effect of Zr addition on phase formation, microstructure, and hardness of FeCrNiMnCoZr _x and Al_0.5FeCrNiMnCoZr _x were investigated. High entropy alloys (HEA) were synthesized using arc melting technique in argon (Ar) atmosphere (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3). Ingots were homogenized for 24 h at 900 °C in Ar atmosphere. Phase formation, microstructure and hardness of HEAs were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Vickers microhardness tester. Electron micrographs of HEAs showed majorly dendritic(DR) and interdendritic(ID) phases. For both FeCrNiMnCoZr _x and Al_0.5FeCrNiMnCoZr _x alloys, amount of ID phases is seen to increase with increased Zr content. Aluminium containing HEAs showed fine needle-shaped precipitates dispersed throughout the matrix phase. XRD results confirmed the presence of mixed FCC/BCC phases in FeCrNiMnCoZr _x alloys and BCC as majority phase in Al_0.5FeCrNiMnCoZr _x alloys. As the Zr content increased, hardness of HEA increased.