Transition from High-Entropy to Conventional Alloys: Which Are Better?

(Magneto)Transport Properties of (TiZrNbNi)1-xCux and (TiZrNbCu)1-xCox Complex Amorphous Alloys

We present a systematic study of electrical resistivity, superconductive transitions and the Hall effect for three systems of compositionally complex amorphous alloys of early (TE) and late (TL) transition metals: (TiZrNbNi)1-xCux and (TiZrNbCu)1-xCox in a broad composition range of 0<x<0.5 as well as Ti0.30Zr0.15Nb0.15Cu0.2Ni0.2, Ti0.15Zr0.30Nb0.15Cu0.2Ni0.2 and Ti0.15Zr0.15Nb0.30Cu0.2Ni0.2. All samples showed high resistivity at room temperature, 140-240 μΩ cm, and the superconducting transition temperatures decreased with increasing late transition metal content, similar to binary amorphous and crystalline high-entropy TE-TL alloys. The Hall coefficient RH was temperature-independent and positive for all samples (except for (TiZrNbCu)0.57Co0.43), in good agreement with binary TE-TL alloys. Finally, for the temperature dependence of resistivity, as far as the authors are aware, we present a new model with two conduction channels, one of them being variable range hopping, such as the parallel conduction mode in the temperature range 20-200 K, with the exponent p=1/2. We examine this in the context of variable range hopping in granular metals.

Compositionally Complex Alloys: Some Insights from Photoemission Spectroscopy

Photoemission spectroscopy (PES) is an underrepresented part of current and past studies of compositionally complex alloys (CCA) such as high-entropy alloys (HEA) and their derivatives. PES studies are very important for understanding the electronic structure of materials, and are therefore essential in some cases for a correct description of the intrinsic properties of CCAs. Here, we present several examples showing the importance of PES. First, we show how the difference between the split-band structure and the common-band structure of the valence band (VB), observed by PES, can explain a range of properties of CCAs and alloys in general. A simple description of the band crossing in CCAs composed from the early and late transition metals showing a split band is discussed. We also demonstrate how a high-accuracy PES study can determine the variation in the density of states at the Fermi level as a function of Cu content in Ti-Zr-Nb-Ni-Cu metallic glasses. Finally, the first results of an attempt to single out the contributions of particular constituents in Cantor-type alloys to their VBs are presented. The basic principles of PES, the techniques employed in studies presented, and some issues associated with PES measurements are also described.

Effect of Al Addition on Microstructure and Properties of CoCrNi Medium-Entropy Alloy Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

Powder metallurgy possesses the advantages of low energy consumption, less material consumption, uniform composition, and near-final forming. In order to improve the mechanical properties and high-temperature oxidation resistance of CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA), CoCrNiAl_X (X = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) MEAs were prepared using mechanical alloying (MA) and spark-plasma sintering (SPS). The effect of aluminum content on the microstructure and properties of the MEAs was investigated. The results show that the CoCrNi MEA is composed of face center cubic (fcc) phase and some carbides (Cr₂₃C₆). With the increase in Al content, there exists Al₂O₃ precipitation. When the Al content is increased to Al_0.5 and Al_0.7, the body center cubic (bcc) phase begins to precipitate. The addition of aluminum significantly enhances the properties of the alloys, especially those containing fcc+bcc dual-phase solid solutions. The yield strength, compressive strength, and hardness of CoCrNiAl_0.7 alloy are as high as 2083 MPa, 2498 MPa, and 646 HV, respectively. The high-temperature resistance also reaches the oxidation resistance level. Different oxides include Cr₂O₃, Al₂O₃, and (Co, Ni) Cr₂O₄ and NiCrO₃ spinel oxides formed on the surface of alloys. The formation of an Al₂O₃ oxidation film prevents the further erosion of the matrix by oxygen elements.

Study on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of FeCoCrNi/Al Composites via Cryorolling

Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced by 1.5 and 3 wt% FeCoCrNi high-entropy alloy particles (HEAp) were obtained by a stir casting process. The AMCs strip was further prepared by room temperature rolling (RTR, 298 K) and cryorolling (CR, 77 K). The mechanical properties of the AMCs produced by RTR and CR were studied. The effect of a microstructure on mechanical properties of composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that CR can greatly improve the mechanical properties of the HEAp/AMCs. Under 30% rolling reduction, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the RTR 1.5 wt% HEAp/AMCs was 120.3 MPa, but it increased to 139.7 MPa in CR composites. Due to the volume shrinkage effect, the bonding ability of CR HEAp/AMCs reinforcement with Al matrix was stronger, exhibiting higher mechanical properties.