Synthesis and Microstructural Characterization of Nanostructured High Entropy Alloy

Abstract

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are formed by mixing of five or more elements with equal or large proportions. In the current study Al0.3Cr-FeNiCo0.3Si0.4 nanostructured high entropy alloy (HEA) is produced by means of mechanical alloying. The as-received elements in the powder form were processed in a high-energy ball mill with a ball-to-powder ratio (BPR) 15:1 and a speed of 300 rpm. Two Al0.3Cr-FeNiCo0.3Si0.4 alloy samples were produced with the same variables except milling time where alloy A was milled for 1 hr while alloy B was mechanically alloyed for 25 hr. Milling time is increased from 1 to 25 hr to allow the formation of the solid solution of the elements and the synthesis of high entropy alloy. The as-received powders were examined by Apreo field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEGSEM). The distribution and dissolution of the elements in the produced alloys was examined using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) attached to a high resolution scanning electron microscope system (FGSEM).