Microstructure and mechanical properties of C_(x)Hf_(0.25)NbTaW_(0.5) refractory high-entropy alloys at room and high temperatures

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast and isothermally annealed C_(x)Hf_(0.25)NbTaW_(0.5)(x=0,0.05,0.15,0.25)refractory high-entropy alloys(RHEAs)were studied.Both the as-cast and annealed RHEAs consisted of disordered body-centered cubic solid solution phase and metal carbide(MC)phase with a face-centered cubic crystal structure(Fm-3 m space group).The primary carbides were enriched with Hf and C elements and tended to form lamellar eutectic-like microstructure in the interdendrites.The lamellar eutectic-like structure in the interdendrites would be formed from the decomposition of sub-carbide M_(2)C under the influence of Hf element.After isothermal annealing,slatted carbides were precipitated on the matrix,and the distribution became more uniform with high C content.The formation of carbides strongly influenced the mechanical properties both at room and high temperatures.The yield strength values of C_(x)Hf_(0.25)NbTaW_(0.5) RHEA at 1473 and 1673 K were 792 and 749 MPa,respectively.The result had exceeded the high temperature mechanical properties of currently known RHEAs.Moreover,this RHEA exhibited high-temperature performance stability and excellent plasticity,exceeding 30 and 50%at room and elevated temperatures(above 1273 K),respectively.During thermal deformation,carbon-containing RHEAs obtained more severe work hardening than that of ACHO RHEAs,and required greater dynamic recrystallization to achieve the dynamic equilibrium.