3386 Microsc. Microanal. 27 (Suppl 1), 2021
doi:10.1017/S1431927621011648 © Microscopy Society of America 2021
Microstructure and Adjustment in Tensile Strength of Al
0.8
CoCrFeNi Fibers
Nestor Florido-Suarez
1
, Pedro Socorro-Perdomo
1
, Ionelia Voiculescu
2
and Julia Mirza-Rosca
1
1
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, United States,
2
Politehnica University of Bucharest, United
States
Introduction
The notion of high entropy alloys is a significant new change in alloys design, as they emphasize
compositions that are close to the center of a multicomponent phase diagram, in contrast to conventional
alloys that are controlled by one basic element. The high entropy alloys can potentially stack solid-solution
phases with respect to intermetallic compounds and can give rise to interesting properties such as superior
hardness, notable toughness, superior fracture toughness and corrosion resistance [1][2] As potentially
remarkable engineering alloys, the AlCoCrFeNi HEA system has stimulated considerable research activities
because it possesses a series of attractive physical, chemical and mechanical qualities [3].
The objective of this research is the assessment of the microstructure progression and tuning of the
mechanical properties of Al0.8CoCrFeNi fibers produced by cutting followed by annealing at 1100 °C. By
thermomechanical treatment and microstructure monitoring, equilibrated tensile properties were obtained at
room temperature. In comparison to the bulk as-cast alloy, the heat-treated fibers exhibit an elongation
significantly major [4]. The disadvantage in improving the ductility of the fibers was a decrease in yield
strength and fracture toughness.
Experimental
The Al0.8CoCrFeNi ingot was prepared from high purity elements by vacuum-arc melting. The molten ingot
was cutted into very thin samples (0.5 mm in height) and prepared by grinding (2500 grit SiC abrasive paper)
and then polishing them until they were optically flat (0.3μm alumina paste). High-entropy alloy fibers with
diameters of 0.4 mm and 1.5 cm in length were then cut from these samples. Afterwards, the HEA fibers
were annealed at 1100 °C for 15 min. Tensile tests were performed on a Bose Electro Force 3100 universal
testing machine (Bose Corporation, Minnesota, USA) using a strain rate of 10-3s-1 at room conditions
(approx. 22°C).
Results and discussion
It was observed that the fibers had an equiaxed grain structure after heat treatment. The ultimate tensile
strength (σf), elongation at fracture (εf)) and yield strength (σy) of the fibers were determined. The tensile
strength (σf) of the heat-treated fibers at room temperature is comparable to that of the as-cast
Al0.8CoCrFeNi alloy.
Fracture images of alloys are routinely examined to identify possible deformation patterns and failure
factors. Fig. 1 displays a fractograph of the core area of a typical tensile sample for the fiber with 0.4 mm
diameter. The fracture surface morphology exhibits a typical ductile failure.
For Al0.8CrFeCoNi the EDAX nanoscale analysis revealed the dendritic region rich in Fe and Cr but
depleted in Ni and Al and the interdendritic region rich in Al and Ni but depleted in Cr and Fe. Only cobalt
shows no significant difference in the two areas with a somewhat higher concentration in the interdendritic
zone.
It is well known that Co, Ni and Cr are extremely corrosion resistant elements and form a strong passive film
on the surface. Co2+, Co3+, Ni2+ and Cr3+ species which are generated in the polarization process form a
uniform and compact passive film that successfully inhibits the contact of the Cl- with the metallic surface,
thus reducing the corrosion rate and improving the corrosion resistance of the alloy [5].
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