Microstructure and Properties of AlCoCrFeNiTi High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Prepared by Laser Cladding

21-4N(5Cr21Mn9Ni4N)is extensively employed in the production of engine valves,operating under severe conditions.Apart from withstanding high-temperature gas corrosion,it must also endure the impact of cylinder explosion pressure.The predominant failure mode of 21-4N valves is abrasive wear.Surface coatings serve as an effective approach to prevent such failures.In this investigation,Laser cladding technology was utilized to fabricate AlCoCrFeNiTi high entropy alloy coatings onto the surfaces of 21-4N valves.According to the findings,the cladding zone has a normal dendritic microstructure,a good substrate-to-cladding layer interaction,and no obvious flaws.In terms of hardness,the cladding demonstrates an average hardness of 620 HV.The hardness has increased by 140%compared to the substrate.The average hardness of the cladding remains at approximately 520 HV even at elevated temperatures.Regarding frictional wear performance,between 400℃and 800℃,the cladding layer exhibits an average friction coefficient of 0.4,with the primary wear mechanisms being abrasive wear,adhesive wear,and a minor degree of plastic deformation.

Effect of Mn element on shock response in CoCrFeNiMnx high entropy alloys

The effect of Mn element on shock response of CoCrFeNiMnx high entropy alloys(HEAs)are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations.Structural analysis shows that Mn-rich CoCrFeNiMnx HEA has a larger average atomic volume.The elastic properties of CoCrFeNiMnx HEAs under various hydrostatic pressures are studied,revealing that the elastic modulus decreases with increasing of Mn content.The shock thermodynamic parameters are quantitatively analyzed.The Mn-dependent shock Hugoniot relationship of CoCrFeNiMnx HEAs is obtained:Us=1.25+(5.21–0.011x)Up.At relatively high shock pressure,the increase in Mn content promotes the formation of clustered BCC structures and hinders the development of dislocations.In addition,more FCC structures in Mn-rich CoCrFeNiMnx HEAs transform into disordered structures during spallation.Spall strength decreases with increasing Mn content.This study can provide a reference for the design and application of CoCrFeNiMn HEAs under shock loading.

A critical review on solid-state welding of high entropy alloys-processing,microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of joints

The high entropy alloys(HEAs)are the newly developed high-performance materials that have gained significant importance in defence,nuclear and aerospace sector due to their superior mechanical properties,heat resistance,high temperature strength and corrosion resistance.These alloys are manufactured by the equal mixing or larger proportions of five or more alloying elements.HEAs exhibit superior mechanical performance compared to traditional engineering alloys because of the extensive alloying composition and higher entropy of mixing.Solid state welding(SSW)techniques such as friction stir welding(FSW),rotary friction welding(RFW),diffusion bonding(DB)and explosive welding(EW)have been efficiently deployed for improving the microstructural integrity and mechanical properties of welded HEA joints.The HEA interlayers revealed greater potential in supressing the formation of deleterious intermetallic phases and maximizing the mechanical properties of HEAs joints.The similar and dissimilar joining of HEAs has been manifested to be viable for HEA systems which further expands their industrial applications.Thus,the main objective of this review paper is to present a critical review of current state of research,challenges and opportunities and main directions in SSW of HEAs mainly CoCrFeNiMn and Al_xCoCrFeNi alloys.The state of the art of problems,progress and future outlook in SSW of HEAs are critically reviewed by considering the formation of phases,microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of HEAs joints.

Characterization of local chemical ordering and deformation behavior in high entropy alloys by transmission electron microscopy

Short-range ordering(SRO)is one of the most important structural features of high entropy alloys(HEAs).However,the chemical and structural analyses of SROs are very difficult due to their small size,complexed compositions,and varied locations.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)as well as its aberration correction techniques are powerful for characterizing SROs in these compositionally complex alloys.In this short communication,we summarized recent progresses regarding characterization of SROs using TEM in the field of HEAs.By using advanced TEM techniques,not only the existence of SROs was confirmed,but also the effect of SROs on the deformation mechanism was clarified.Moreover,the perspective related to application of TEM techniques in HEAs are also discussed.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion resistance enhancement of coppercontaining high entropy alloy Fe_(x)Cu_(1−x)CoNiCrMn against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

To enhance the microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC)resistance of FeCoNiCrMn high entropy alloy(HEAs),a series of Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn(x=1,0.75,0.5,and 0.25)HEAs were prepared.Microstructural characteristics,corrosion behavior(morphology observation and electrochemical properties),and antimicrobial performance of Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn HEAs were evaluated in a medium inoculated with typical corrosive microorganism Pseudomonas aeruginosa.The aim was to identify copper-containing FeCoNiCrMn HEAs that balance corrosion resistance and antimicrobial properties.Results revealed that all Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn(x=1,0.75,0.5,and 0.25)HEAs exhibited an FCC(face centered cubic)phase,with significant grain refinement observed in Fe_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)CoNiCrMn HEA.Electrochemical tests indicated that Fe_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)CoNiCrMn HEA demonstrated lower corrosion current density(i_(corr))and pitting potential(E_(pit))compared to other Fe_(x)Cu_((1−x))CoNiCrMn HEAs in P.aeruginosa-inoculated medium,exhibiting superior resistance to MIC.Anti-microbial tests showed that after 14 d of immersion,Fe_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)CoNiCrMn achieved an antibacterial rate of 89.5%,effectively inhibiting the adhesion and biofilm formation of P.aeruginosa,thereby achieving resistance to MIC.

Spark plasma sintering of tungsten-based WTaVCr refractory high entropy alloys for nuclear fusion applications

W-based WTaVCr refractory high entropy alloys (RHEA) may be novel and promising candidate materials for plasma facing components in the first wall and diverter in fusion reactors. This alloy has been developed by a powder metallurgy process combining mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The SPSed samples contained two phases, in which the matrix is RHEA with a body-centered cubic structure, while the oxide phase was most likely Ta2VO6through a combined analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD),energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The higher oxygen affinity of Ta and V may explain the preferential formation of their oxide phases based on thermodynamic calculations. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed an average grain size of 6.2μm. WTaVCr RHEA showed a peak compressive strength of 2997 MPa at room temperature and much higher micro-and nano-hardness than W and other W-based RHEAs in the literature. Their high Rockwell hardness can be retained to at least 1000°C.

Effect of forging on the microstructure and texture of a high Nb containing γ-TiAl alloy

The effect of forging on the microstructure and texture evolution of a high Nb containing Ti-45Al-7Nb-0.3W(at.%)alloy was investigated by X-ray diffractometer(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results show that the as-cast alloy is mainly composed of α_(2)/γ lamellar colonies with a mean size of 70μm,but the hot-forged pancake displays a near duplex microstructure(DP).Kinking and bending of lamellar colonies,deformation twinning and dynamic recrystallization(DRX)occur during hot forging.Meanwhile,dense dislocations in theβphase after forging suggest that the high-temperature β phase with a disordered structure is favorable for improving the hot-workability of the alloy.Unlike the common TiAl casting texture,the solidification process of the investigated as-cast alloy with high Nb content is completely via the β phase region,resulting in the formation of a<110>γ fiber texture where the<110>γ aligns parallel to the heat-flow direction.In comparison,the relatively strong<001>and weak<302>texture components in the as-forged alloy are attributed to the deformation twinning.After annealing,static recrystallization occurs at the twin boundary and intersections,which weakens the deformation texture.

Progress in weldability research of high entropy alloys

High entropy alloys usually show good weldability.The weldability problems of high entropy alloys are segregation,cracks,and hardening or softening of weld,etc.When an Al_(x)CoCrFeNi alloy is welded,Al and Ni will segregate to the interdendritic region in the weld,but the degree of segregation is less than that of the base metal.When an Al_(x)CoCrCu_(x)FeNi alloy or a CoCrCu_(x)FeNi alloy is welded,Cu tends to segregate to the interdendritic region in the weld.Increasing the cooling rate of the welding process,such as with laser welding,is conducive to reducing the segregation in the weld.The segregation in the weld and the heat affected zone,especially the segregation of Cu,will lead to the generation of hot cracks.Hot cracking is the main form of cracking in high entropy alloys joints.Welding will lead to changes in the hardness of the weld.The main factors affecting the hardness change are the grain sizes and the precipitations.With laser welding,if the base metal is cold rolled,the hardness of the weld will decrease.If the base metal is hot rolled and annealed or cast,the hardness of the weld will increase.With TIG welding,the hardness of the weld is usually lower than that of the base metal,unless the grain of the base metal is particularly coarse before welding.With friction stir welding,recrystallization and grain refinement occur in the stir zone,and the hardness of the stir zone will be significantly improved no matter the original base metal is cold rolled or cast.

FeCoNiCrMo high entropy alloy nanosheets catalyzed magnesium hydride for solid-state hydrogen storage

The catalytic effect of FeCoNiCrMo high entropy alloy nanosheets on the hydrogen storage performance of magnesium hydride(MgH_(2))was investigated for the first time in this paper.Experimental results demonstrated that 9wt%FeCoNiCrMo doped MgH_(2)started to dehydrogenate at 200℃and discharged up to 5.89wt%hydrogen within 60 min at 325℃.The fully dehydrogenated composite could absorb3.23wt%hydrogen in 50 min at a temperature as low as 100℃.The calculated de/hydrogenation activation energy values decreased by44.21%/55.22%compared with MgH_(2),respectively.Moreover,the composite’s hydrogen capacity dropped only 0.28wt%after 20 cycles,demonstrating remarkable cycling stability.The microstructure analysis verified that the five elements,Fe,Co,Ni,Cr,and Mo,remained stable in the form of high entropy alloy during the cycling process,and synergistically serving as a catalytic union to boost the de/hydrogenation reactions of MgH_(2).Besides,the FeCoNiCrMo nanosheets had close contact with MgH_(2),providing numerous non-homogeneous activation sites and diffusion channels for the rapid transfer of hydrogen,thus obtaining a superior catalytic effect.

Influences of Milling Time and NbC on Microstructure of AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)High Entropy Alloy by Mechanical Alloying

AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)eutectic high entropy alloy(EHEA)and AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)-x NbC(x=2.5wt%,5.0wt%,7.5wt%,and 10wt%)high entropy alloy(HEAs)were prepared by mechanical alloying(MA).The effects of milling time and NbC content on the alloying behavior and grain size of the AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)EHEA were investigated.The experimental results show that the AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)EHEA primarily consists of order BCC(B2)and face-centered-cubic(FCC)phases,while the AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)-x NbC(x=2.5wt%,5.0wt%,7.5wt%,and 10wt%)HEAs are composed of B2,FCC,and NbC phases.With the increase of milling time,the powder goes through three stages,irregularity,cold welding fracture and spheroidization.The particle size of AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)EHEA powder shows a trend of first increasing and then decreasing.Therein,the particle size presents a normal distribution during 0-50 h alloying.With the addition of NbC,the AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)-x NbC HEAs powders are significantly refined.And the degree of grain refinement gradually increases with the increase of NbC content.

Fatigue Life Estimation of High Strength 2090-T83 Aluminum Alloy under Pure Torsion Loading Using Various Machine Learning Techniques

The ongoing effort to create methods for detecting and quantifying fatigue damage is motivated by the high levels of uncertainty in present fatigue-life prediction approaches and the frequently catastrophic nature of fatigue failure.The fatigue life of high strength aluminum alloy 2090-T83 is predicted in this study using a variety of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for constant amplitude and negative stress ratios(R?1).Artificial neural networks(ANN),adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems(ANFIS),support-vector machines(SVM),a random forest model(RF),and an extreme-gradient tree-boosting model(XGB)are trained using numerical and experimental input data obtained from fatigue tests based on a relatively low number of stress measurements.In particular,the coefficients of the traditional force law formula are found using relevant numerical methods.It is shown that,in comparison to traditional approaches,the neural network and neuro-fuzzy models produce better results,with the neural network models trained using the boosting iterations technique providing the best performances.Building strong models from weak models,XGB helps to predict fatigue life by reducing model partiality and variation in supervised learning.Fuzzy neural models can be used to predict the fatigue life of alloys more accurately than neural networks and traditional methods.

Strength and ductility optimization of HPDC AlSi8MgCuZn2 alloys by modifying pre-aging treatment

Considering the components produced by high pressure die casting(HPDC)process usually with ultra-large sizes and complex morphologies,high temperature solid solution treatment is not a suitable method to further improve their mechanical properties.In this study,two-stage aging treatment with different pre-aging times was designed and employed to further improve the mechanical properties of HPDC Al8SiMgCuZn alloy.The characteristics of precipitates were evaluated by a transmission electron microscope(TEM),and the precipitation strengthening mechanism was discussed.The results reveal that the strengthening is mainly contributed by the precipitation ofβ″phase after two-stage aging,and the number density and size of the precipitates are significantly depended on the pre-aging time.The number density of precipitates is increased with the pre-aging time prolonged from 0 h to 4 h,and then decreases with the further increase of pre-aging time from 4 h to 6 h.The precipitates with the highest density and smallest size are observed after pre-aging for 4 h.After pre-aged at 100℃for 4 h and then artificial aged at 200℃for 30 min,the yield strength of 207 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of 325 MPa and elongation of 7.6%are achieved.

Formation condition of solid solution type high-entropy alloy

Formation condition of high-entropy alloys with solid solution structure was investigated. Seventeen kinds of the high-entropy alloys with different components were prepared, the influencing factors （the comprehensive atomic radius difference δ, the mixing enthalpy AH and the mixing entropy AS） of phase composition of the alloys were calculated, and the microstructure and phase compositions of alloys were analyzed by using SEM and XRD. The result shows that only the systems with δ≤2.77 and △H≥-8.8 kJ/mol will form high entropy alloy with simple solid solution. Otherwise, intermetallic compounds will exist in the alloys. So, selection of the type of element has important effects on microstructure and properties of high entropy alloys.

First principles calculation of intermetallic compounds in FeTiCoNiVCrMnCuAl system high entropy alloy

The structural, electronic and elastic properties of common intermetallic compounds in FeTiCoNiVCrMnCuAI system high entropy alloy were investigated by the first principles calculation. The calculation results of formation enthalpy and cohesive energy show that FeTi, Fe2Ti, AlCrFe2, Co2Ti, AlMn2V and Mn2Ti phases may form in the formation process of the alloy. Further studies show that FeTi, FezTi, AlCrFe2, Co2Ti and AlMn2V phases with higher shear modulus and elastic modulus would be excellent strengthening phases in high entropy alloy and would improve the hardness of the alloy. In addition, the partial density of states was investigated for revealing the bonding mode, and the analyses on the strength of p-d hybridization also reveal the underlying mechanism for the elastic properties of these compounds.

Microstructure and properties of electronic packaging box with high silicon aluminum-base alloy by semi-solid thixoforming

The electronic packaging box with high silicon aluminum-base alloy was prepared by semi-solid thixoforming technique.The flow characteristic of the Si phase was analyzed.The microstructures of different parts of the box were observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy,and the thermophysical and mechanical properties of the box were tested.The results show that there exists the segregation phenomenon between the primary Si phase and the liquid phase during thixoforming,the liquid phase flows from the box,and the primary Si phase accumulates at the bottom of the box.The volume fraction of primary Si phase decreases gradually from the bottom to the walls.Accordingly,the thermal conductivities of bottom center and walls are 107.6 and 131.5 W/（m·K）,the coefficients of thermal expansion（CTE） are 7.9×10-6 and 10.6×10-6 K-1,respectively.The flexural strength increases slightly from 167 to 180 MPa.The microstructures and properties of the box show gradient distribution overall.

Chemical Composition Control of Non-Metallic Inclusions in High Alloy Steel Production Process

There is a close relation between the characteristics of products and the chemical composition control of inclusions in steelmaking process. Therefore, it is very important for a warranty of product’s characteristics to improve inclusion quality resulting in defective products. In the present work, the control technique of inclusions’ chemical composition is discussed thermodynamically based on the Redlich-Kister type polynomial to metallic solution and regular solution model to molten oxide solution. It is very effective for the precise chemical composition control of oxides to determine the concentration of deoxidizers based on the thermodynamic relation among dissolved deoxidizers and oxygen, because it is known that oxide inclusions are equilibrated with them in molten steel in the steel making process. High alloy steel production process was focused in the present work.

Effects of Al and Mo on high temperature oxidation behavior of refractory high entropy alloys

Refractory high entropy alloys have superior mechanical properties at high temperatures, and the oxidation behavior of these alloys is very important. The present work investigated the high temperature oxidation behavior of three alloys with compositions of TiNbTa0.5Zr, TiNbTa0.5ZrAl and TiNbTa0.5ZrAlMo0.5, and the effects of alloying elements were discussed. Results indicated that the oxidation rates of the TiNbTa0.5Zr and TiNbTa0.5ZrAl alloys are controlled by diffusion, and obey the exponential rule. However, the oxidation rate of the TiNbTa0.5ZrAlMo0.5 alloy is controlled by interface reaction, and obeys the linear rule. The addition of Al leads to a better oxidation resistance by forming a protective oxide scale. However, the protection of Al-rich scale is weakened by the addition of Mo. Extensive pores and cracks occur in the oxide scale of the TiNbTa0.5ZrAlMo0.5 alloy, resulting in a significant decrease in oxidation resistance.

Effect of thermomechanical processing on microstructure and mechanical properties of CoCrFeNiMn high entropy alloy

The CoCrFeNiMn high entropy alloy was produced by homogenization, cold rolling and recrystallization. The effects of thermomechanical processing on microstructures and tensile properties at different temperatures were investigated using X-ray diffractometry（XRD）, optical microscopy（OM）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and multi-functional testing machine. The results show that dendritic structures in cast alloy evolve into equiaxed grains after being recrystallized, with single face-centered cubic（FCC） phase detected. The most refined alloys, stemming from the highest rolling ratio（40%）, exhibit the highest strength due to the grain boundary strengthening, while the variation of elongation with temperature shows a concave feature. For the coarse-grained alloys, both the ductility and work hardening ability decrease monotonically with increasing temperature. Serrated flow observed at intermediate temperatures is attributed to the effective pinning of dislocations, which manifests the occurrence of dynamic strain hardening and results in the deterioration in ductility. Besides, dimples on the fracture surfaces indicate the typical ductile rupture mode.

Processing effects on the magnetic and mechanical properties of FeCoNiAl_(0.2)Si_(0.2) high entropy alloy

High entropy alloys with the composition of FeCoNiA10.2Si0.2 were prepared by arc melting and induction melting, denoted by A1 and A2, respectively. The samples prepared by these two techniques have a face-centered cubic （FCC） phase structure and a typical dendrite morphology. The tensile yield strength and maximum strength of A2 samples are about 280 and 632 MPa, respectively. Moreover~ the elongation can reach 41.7%. These two alloys prepared by the different methods possess the similar magnetic properties. The saturation magnetization and coercivity can reach 1.151 T and 1400 A/m for A1 samples and 1.015 T and 1431 A/m for A2 samples, respectively. Phases in A2 samples do not change, which are heat treated at different temperatures, then quenched in water. Only the sample, which is heat treated at 600~C for 3 h and then furnace cooled, has a new phase precipitated. Besides, the coercivity decreases obviously at this temperature. Cold rolling and the subsequent heat treatment cannot improve the magnetic properties effectively. However, cold rolling plays an important role in improving the strength.

Superior corrosion resistance-dependent laser energy density in(CoCrFeNi)95Nb5 high entropy alloy coating fabricated by laser cladding

(CoCrFeNi)95Nb5 high entropy alloy(HEA)coatings were successfully fabricated on a substrate of Q235 steel by laser cladding technology.These(CoCrFeNi)95Nb5 HEA coatings possess excellent properties,particularly corrosion resistance,which is clearly superior to that of some typical bulk HEA and common engineering alloys.In order to obtain appropriate laser cladding preparation process parameters,the effects of laser energy density on the microstructure,microhardness,and corrosion resistance of(CoCrFeNi)95Nb5 HEA coating were closely studied.Results showed that as the laser energy density increases,precipitation of the Laves phase in(CoCrFeNi)95Nb5 HEA coating gradually decreases,and diffusion of the Fe element in the substrate intensifies,affecting the integrity of the(CoCrFeNi)95Nb5 HEA.This decreases the microhardness of(CoCrFeNi)95Nb5 HEA coatings.Moreover,the relative content of Cr2O3,Cr(OH)3,and Nb2O5 in the surface passive film of the coating decreases with increasing energy density,causing corrosion resistance to decrease.This study demonstrates the controllability of a high-performance HEA coating using laser cladding technology,which has significance for the laser cladding preparation of other CoCrFeNi-system HEA coatings.