In Situ TiC/FeCrNiCu High-Entropy Alloy Matrix Composites: Reaction Mechanism, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

doi:10.1007/s40195-020-01084-2

Abstract

Abstract:

In situ TiC particles-reinforced FeCrNiCu high-entropy alloy matrix composites were prepared by vacuum induction melting method. The reaction mechanisms of the mixed powder (Ti, Cu and C) were analyzed, and the mechanical properties of resultant composites were determined. Cu₄Ti were formed in the reaction of Cu and Ti when the temperature rose to 1160 K. With the temperature further increased to 1182 K, newly formed Cu₄Ti reacted with C to give rise to TiC particles as reinforcement agents. The apparent activation energy for these two reactions was calculated to be 578.7 kJ/mol and 1443.2 kJ/mol, respectively. The hardness, tensile yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the 15 vol% TiC/FeCrNiCu composite are 797.3 HV, 605.1 MPa and 769.2 MPa, respectively, representing an increase by 126.9%, 65.9% and 36.0% as compared to the FeCrNiCu high-entropy base alloy at room temperature. However, the elongation-to-failure is reduced from 21.5 to 6.1% with the formation of TiC particles. It was revealed that Orowan mechanism, dislocation strengthening and load-bearing effect are key factors responsible for a marked increase in the hardness and strength of the high-entropy alloy matrix composites.

Key words: High-entropy alloy matrix composite, TiC particle, Reaction mechanism, Mechanical properties, Strengthening mechanism

Hao Wu, Si-Rui Huang, Cheng-Yan Zhu, Ji-Feng Zhang, He-Guo Zhu, Zong-Han Xie. In Situ TiC/FeCrNiCu High-Entropy Alloy Matrix Composites: Reaction Mechanism, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2020, 33(8): 1091-1102.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of sample preparation process using vacuum inductive current melting

Fig. 2 Gibbs free energy of the reactions as a function of temperature for the Ti-Cu-C system

Fig. 3 a DSC curve of Ti-Cu-C system; b DSC curve of Ti-Cu system; c XRD diffraction pattern of Ti-Cu-C system heated to 1171 K; d SEM image of Ti-Cu-C system heated to 1171 K; e XRD diffraction pattern of Ti-Cu-C system heated to 1373 K; f SEM image of Ti-Cu-C system heated to 1373 K

Fig. 4 Schematic diagram of reaction process in the Ti-Cu-C system

Fig. 5 DSC curves obtained at four different heating rates: a 15 K/min; b 20 K/min; (c) 25 K/min; (d) 30 K/min

Fig. 6 Plots of the ln(β/T2m) - 1/Tm for the reactions occurring in the Ti-Cu-C system: a step 1 reaction and b step 2 reaction

Fig. 7 XRD diffraction patterns of FeCrNiCu high-entropy alloy matrix composites with different volumes fractions of reinforcements: a matrix; b 5 vol% TiC/HEA; c 10 vol% TiC/HEA; d 15 vol% TiC/HEA

Fig. 8 SEM images and EDS spectra of the samples TiC/FeCrNiCu with different volumes fractions of reinforcements: a matrix; b 5 vol% TiC/HEA; c 10 vol% TiC/HEA; d 15 vol% TiC/HEA

Fig. 9 a TEM micrograph of TiC in 10 vol% TiC/FeCrNiCu high-entropy alloy composites; b electron diffraction pattern of single TiC particle

Fig. 10 a Hardness of samples with different volume fractions of reinforcements; b engineering stress-strain curves of samples with different volume fractions of reinforcements

Table 1 Mechanical properties of the FeCrNiCu high-entropy alloy with different volume fractions of in situ TiC

Sample	Hardness (HV)	Yield strength (Mpa)	Ultimate strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)
HEA	351.4 ± 15.3	364.7	565.5	21.5
5 vol% TiC-HEA	383.7 ± 13.5	425.6	706.5	21.0
10 vol% TiC-HEA	569.1 ± 14.1	482.3	738.6	15.0
15 vol% TiC-HEA	797.3 ± 15.8	605.1	769.2	6.1

Fig. 11 Fracture surface of samples with different volume fractions of reinforcements: a matrix; b 5 vol% TiC/HEA; c 10 vol% TiC/HEA; d 15 vol% TiC/HEA

Fig. 12 a SEM image and EDS spectrum of the ex-situ 15% TiC/FeCrNiCu composite; b engineering stress-strain curves of samples with different preparation methods

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