J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2024, Vol. 187: 195-211.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.11.053

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Ultra-strong and ductile precipitation-strengthened high entropy alloy with 0.5 % Nb addition produced by laser additive manufacturing

Wei Zhanga,1, Ali Chaboka,1, Hui Wangb, Jiajia Shenc,d, J.P. Oliveirac,d, Shaochuan Fenge, Nobert Schellf, Bart J. Kooib, Yutao Peia,*   

  1. aAdvanced Production Engineering, Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, the Netherlands;
    bNanostructured Materials and Interfaces, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, the Netherlands;
    cUNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal;
    dCENIMAT/I3N, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
    eSchool of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China;
    fInstitute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Str. 1, Geesthacht, D-21502, Germany
  • Received:2023-08-10 Revised:2023-11-19 Accepted:2023-11-20 Published:2024-07-10 Online:2024-01-23
  • Contact: *E-mail address: y.pei@rug.nl (Y. Pei)
  • About author:1These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract: Achieving a superior strength-ductility combination for fcc single-phase high entropy alloys (HEAs) is challenging. The present work investigates the in-situ synthesis of Fe49.5Mn30Co10Cr10C0.5 interstitial solute-strengthened HEA containing 0.5 wt.% Nb (hereafter referred to as iHEA-Nb) using laser melting deposition (LMD), aiming at simultaneously activating multiple strengthening mechanisms. The effect of Nb addition on the microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, strengthening and deformation mechanisms of the as-deposited iHEA-Nb samples was comprehensively evaluated. Multiple levels of heterogeneity were observed in the LMD-deposited microstructure, including different grain sizes, cellular subgrain structures, various carbide precipitates, as well as elemental segregation. The incorporation of Nb atoms with a large radius leads to lattice distortion, reduces the average grain size, and increases the types and fractions of carbides, aiding in promoting solid solution strengthening, grain boundary strengthening, and precipitation strengthening. Tensile test results show that the Nb addition significantly increases the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the iHEA to 1140 and 1450 MPa, respectively, while maintaining the elongation over 30 %. Deformation twins were generated in the tensile deformed samples, contributing to the occurrence of twinning-induced plasticity. This outstanding combination of strength and ductility exceeds that for most additively manufactured HEAs reported to date, demonstrating that the present in situ alloying strategy could provide significant advantages for developing and tailoring microstructures and balancing the mechanical properties of HEAs while avoiding conventional complex thermomechanical treatments. In addition, single-crystal micropillar compression tests revealed that although the twining activity is reduced by the Nb addition to the iHEA, the micromechanical properties of grains with different orientations were significantly enhanced.

Key words: Laser additive manufacturing, High entropy alloy, In situ alloying, Precipitation strengthening, Deformation mechanism, Mechanical properties